Sterile Processing Lead: Operations & Quality Mentor

Community Health Systems; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Health Systems in Knoxville seeks a Sterile Services Lead to liaise between Sterile Processing and the OR, ensuring efficient instrument handling and accurate supplies. You will monitor audits, resolve issues, and lead staff training to uphold safety and quality in patient care.

Lead responsibilities include supervising staff, managing inventories, and coordinating case carts while maintaining compliance with sterilization standards and risk management.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in sterile processing or surgical services.
• 1-3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of sterilization techniques and QA standards.
• Ability to lead, train, and develop staff in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day leadership and oversight of sterile processing staff, supporting workflow coordination and ensuring adherence to departmental standards.
• Monitors and ensures the management of supplies in all areas of Sterile Processing, maintaining an adequate, cost-effective inventory.
• Oversees the collection, decontamination, processing, sterilization, storage, and distribution of non-disposable instruments and equipment.
• Conducts quality audits to ensure the accuracy of instrument assembly and preparation for surgical cases.
• Serves as a point of contact for Sterile Processing Technicians, providing technical support, guidance, and training to junior staff.
• Coordinates and ensures proper assembly, sterilization, and delivery of case carts, resolving instrumentation issues promptly.
• Monitors sterilization processes, including steam and hydrogen peroxide sterilizers, ensuring compliance with quality assurance standards.

Skills

Sterile processing

Leadership

Quality assurance

Training

Education

CRCST certification

CSPDT certification

CER certification

CIS certification

CHL certification preferred

Tools

Sterilization equipment

Tracking software

Job description

Community Health Systems in Knoxville seeks a Sterile Services Lead to liaise between Sterile Processing and the OR, ensuring efficient instrument handling and accurate supplies. You will monitor audits, resolve issues, and lead staff training to uphold safety and quality in patient care.

Lead responsibilities include supervising staff, managing inventories, and coordinating case carts while maintaining compliance with sterilization standards and risk management.