Sterile Processing Manager

Atrium Health; Elkin (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Atrium Health Wake Forest’s western community affiliates seek a Sterile Processing Manager to lead OR Sterile Processing Departments at Hugh Chatham Health in Elkin, Wilkes Medical Center in North Wilkesboro, and Alleghany Health in Sparta.

This role provides 24/7 strategic leadership, direction, support, accountability, and operational oversight for OR sterile processing, including decontamination and sterilization, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with healthcare operations focus.
• Expert knowledge in sterilization and high-level disinfection.
• Active certification in sterile processing via CBSPD or IAHCSMM.
• Leadership experience in a fast-paced healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Supervises OR SPD staff to meet performance and quality goals.
• Manages decontamination, sterilization, and inventory control.
• Presents data to leadership and collaborates to improve workflows.
• Recommends policy changes to meet standards and safety rules.
• Tracks instrument usage and logistics to optimize throughput.
• Ensures compliance with CMS, TJC, AAMI, AORN and APIC guidelines.
• Provides training and conducts annual performance reviews.

Skills

Communication skills

Decision making

Leadership

Problem solving

Interpersonal relations

Budgeting skills

Sterile processing knowledge

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Instrument tracking system

Job description

Atrium Health Wake Forest’s western community affiliates are seeking a Sterile Processing Manager to lead OR Sterile Processing Departments at Hugh Chatham Health in Elkin, Wilkes Medical Center in North Wilkesboro, and Alleghany Health in Sparta. This manager provides 24/7 strategic leadership, direction, support, accountability, and operational oversight for OR sterile processing, including decontamination and sterilization processes, while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory standards. Responsibilities include evaluating departmental performance, utilization, and financial reports for alignment with hospital goals and directives; promoting quality and functional excellence; and supporting the Associate Director of OR Sterile Processing in achieving strategic and operational objectives. Qualified candidates will have at least one to two years of sterile processing and leadership experience.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree required. Ability to manage the day-to-day operations of a busy healthcare central sterile/sterile processing department; ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment on a daily basis. Expert knowledge in sterilization and high-level disinfection processes. Able to communicate and problem solve using critical thinking. Experience with developing strong team environment and a role model for training and teaching in the clinical setting.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION

Active certification in sterile processing/central sterile via CBSPD or IAHCSMM is required. Additional certification for SPD Management/Leadership it must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

Essential Functions

• Supervises OR SPD technicians and OR SPD staff to achieve established operational performance and quality goals. Manages all collection, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, high-level disinfection, distribution and inventory management of equipment, supplies, and sets managed by OR SPD.
• Presents applicable and relevant sterile processing information and data to senior leadership, physicians, clinicians, and staff in timely and efficient manner. Proactively works with OR personnel including surgeons, Clinical Coordinators and OR administration to improve processes and workflow related to OR SPD.
• Recommends and manages modifications to established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection prevention standards as applicable to OR SPD.
• Analyzes inventory reports and surplus inventory lists to determine the need for improvement in control methods, and directs the initiation of corrective measures to restore satisfactory inventory balance and investment. Provides proactive recommendations to tray configuration changes and changes to instrumentation inventory levels.
• Utilizes instrument tracking system to effectively manage the flow of work within the department, evaluate employees, and track inventory data.
• Ensures optimal sterile processing performance through quality control and quality assurance of all OR SPD activities and equipment. Assures departmental standards of operation and policies are in compliance with regulatory and professional agencies, including but not limited to CMS, TJC, AAMI, AORN and APIC. Recommends equipment changes, upgrades and additions to meet manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) for all items processed.
• Maintains continued education and proficiency in the field of Sterile Processing operations and equipment through education, literature and seminars. Serves as a technical expert regarding product reprocessing, decontamination, and sterilization for the Medical Center. Demonstrates correct department processes and procedures to staff.
• Develops a comprehensive departmental orientation for new staff. Routinely coordinates training and competency validation for all staff. Ensures staff work is performed within prescribed technical and safety standards. Provides or coordinates instructions and in-service on new products, procedures and equipment to maintain patient and staff safety. Ensures staff attends technical and mandatory training/education.
• Schedules staff and work to ensure cases have instrumentation when needed. Monitors and adheres to labor and expense budgets. Maintains reports in appropriate cycles for department performance and staff attendance.
• Provides on-going and effective communication with physicians, hospital/clinic department management, staff and vendor representatives. Represents OR SPD department by attending appropriate department meetings.
• Protects self, co-workers and facility by following approved policies and procedure to prevent the spread of bloodborne and/or airborne diseases(s).
• Provides annual performance reviews to leaders and staff. Able to write and deliver corrective action to leaders/staff.
• Assists Associate Director for OR Sterile Processing in major project initiatives and makes decisions on behalf of the department in the absence of the Associate Director.

Skills/Qualifications

• Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong decision making skills, ability to analyze and solve problems
• Skill in developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships as required in the surgical services environment
• Extensive knowledge regarding instrumentation/processing/sterilization and case carts
• Basic knowledge of surgical procedures and the instruments necessary for high volume procedures
• Ability to plan and organize a substantial workload
• Skill in coaching, counseling and developing the functional and supervisory skills of others
• Ability to cope well under emergency and stressful conditions.
• Ability to converse and interact with various health care professionals
• Strong analytical and budgeting skills
• A proven (and documented) track record of success in the field of Sterile Processing
• Leadership skills to motivate and encourage the team to work together to complete tasks and active company goals

Work Environment

• Clean, well-lit, comfortable climate
• Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries
• Works with confidential information
• Subject to stressful conditions
• Handles absentee replacement on short notice
• Moderate noise environment
• Handles emergency or crisis situations
• Subject to many interruptions
• Occasionally subject to irregular hours

Physical Requirements

Standing, Walking, Sitting, Bending, reaching with arms, Finger and hand dexterity, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, Lifting, carrying, pushing and or pulling.