Sterile Processing Operations Manager

Children's of Alabama; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's of Alabama is seeking a Manager of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) to assist the Director in operational leadership across the main campus and Children’s South Ambulatory Surgery Center. The role requires 24-hour responsibility, travel between sites, and coverage for the SPD Director as needed.

The manager ensures safe, efficient, and compliant decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and devices, aligning SPD with the hospital's

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a healthcare setting required.
• Thorough knowledge of perioperative services and sterile processing workflows.
• Understanding of infection control protocols and regulatory compliance standards.
• Must possess or obtain one or more sterile processing certifications within 2 years of hire.
• CRCST/CSPDT or equivalent certifications are expected upon hire or within 6–12 months.
• Leadership role involves cross-campus coordination and 24-hour departmental coverage.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in operational leadership of SPD across main campus and Children’s South Ambulatory Surgery Center.
• Provide 24-hour departmental leadership; coordinate decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of instruments.
• Travel between campuses to support SPD operations and coverage as needed.
• Support the hospital Surgical Services Division strategic plan and safety/quality culture.

Skills

Leadership experience

Perioperative knowledge

Infection control

Regulatory compliance

Sterile processing workflows

Education

Associate’s Degree (Nursing or Surgical Technology)

BSN or healthcare-related degree within 2–3 years

Job description

In Sterile Processing at Main Campus Children's of Alabama

Work schedule will be Full-time on the Day Shift, Monday-Friday, 6:30am-3pm, work hours may vary.

Summary:

The Manager of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) assists the Director in the operational leadership, management, and coordination of sterile processing services across Children’s of Alabama’s main campus and Children’s South Ambulatory Surgery Center. This position holds 24-hour departmental responsibilities, requires travel between the main campus and Children’s South, and serves as relief/coverage for the SPD Director as needed. The Manager ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical devices.

The Manager works collaboratively with the Director to support alignment of SPD operations with the strategic plan of the hospital and the Surgical Services Division, while helping establish and sustain a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and service excellence.

Sterile Processing services support the Operating Rooms located in Benjamin Russell, Lowder, CVOR, and Children’s South locations along with supporting procedural areas, clinical departments, and external pediatric physician offices that require device and instrument sterilization.

Other information:

Education:

• Essential: Associate’s Degree (Nursing or Surgical Technology) if combined with significant leadership experience. Associate’s Degree candidates must obtain a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN/RN), healthcare administration, or healthcare related field within 2-3 years of assuming role.

Experience:

• Leadership Experience: 2 to 5 years of leadership/supervisory experience essential.
• Thorough knowledge of perioperative services, sterile processing workflows, infection control protocols, and regulatory compliance standards.

Eligible Professional Backgrounds Considered:

• Registered Nurses (RN) with Operating Room or Perioperative experience.
• Operating Room Surgical Technologists / Scrub Techs (CST).
• Experienced Sterile Processing Department (SPD) leaders, supervisors, or certified specialists.

Credentials & Licensure:

Non-essential Certifications:

• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) [for RN candidates]
• Healthcare Leadership

Essential:

• Must possess or obtain one recognized national certification related to Sterile Processing and one recognized national certification related to Sterile Processing Leadership within 2 years of hire.

Examples of certifying agencies: HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, formerly IAHCSMM) or CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution).

Examples of Baseline Core Certification (Essential upon hire or within 6–12 months):

• CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician – HSPA)
• CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician – CBSPD)

Examples of Leadership & Advanced Certifications (Essential within 1–2 years of hire):

• CHL (Certified Healthcare Leader – HSPA)
• CSPM (Certified Sterile Processing Manager – CBSPD)
• CIS (Certified Instrument Specialist – HSPA)
• CER (Certified Endoscope Reprocessor – HSPA)

Credentials with Equivalent Qualifications:

Nonessential:
* Certified Nurse Operating Room

Education with Equivalent Qualifications:
Essential:
* Associates Degree

Experience with Equivalent Qualifications:
Essential:
* 2 Years Supervisor Level

Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:30am-3pm, work hours may vary, Day Shift, Monday-Friday Standard Days