Technical Educator Sterile Processing

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare; Winfield (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Loan forgiveness

401(k) matching

Lifecycle benefits

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Technical Educator to lead training in sterile processing, tray tracking, and sterilization techniques. You will ensure compliance with regulatory standards and collaborate with operating room staff and surgeons.

This role requires prior teaching experience, CBSPD/IAHCSMM certification, and deep knowledge of sterilization and instrumentation. You will schedule education, maintain QA records, and contribute to quality-improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• National (CBSPD) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification required.
• At least 2 years in a teaching position (or equivalent).
• Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in sterilization processes, decontamination, packaging and shelf life, including aseptic techniques.
• Minimum of 2–4 years supervisory, coordinator, or lead technician experience in Sterile Processing or related field.
• Preferred: Associate or Bachelor Degree.
• Preferred: Experience in adult education or willingness to enroll in related courses.

Responsibilities

• Instruct staff in Tray Tracking computer system use as it relates to job duties.
• Demonstrate and instruct staff on sterilization of instruments, equipment, utensils, linen and supplies.
• Maintain documentation records prior to sterilization and verify cycles for regulatory records.
• Assist in policy/procedure development, implementation and review.
• Operate and demonstrate sterilization and decontamination equipment per policy.
• Maintain department QA monitors and Tray Tracking database.

Skills

Teaching experience

Surgical instrumentation

Sterilization processes

Supervisory experience

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

National (CBSPD) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification

Associate or Bachelor Degree

Job description

• Compensation: USD 24.14 - USD 33.79 - hourly

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Technical Educator reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates knowledge and use of Tray Tracking computer system in assigned areas of the department.
• Instructs staff in the use of the Tray Tracking computer system as it relates to their job duties.
• Properly demonstrates and instructs staff to sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies using various types of sterilizers.
• Properly demonstrates and instructs staff to load sterilizers in the prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature according to material and requirements of the items being sterilized.
• Properly demonstrates and instructs staff to complete appropriate manual and electronic documentation record prior to sterilization, read and initial autoclave graph to verify appropriate sterilization cycle to provide required records for regulatory agencies.
• Follows all departmental policies and procedures. Ensures that staff complies with policies and procedures. Assists in policy and procedure development, implementation, and review process.
• Identifies, follows and instructs proper procedures for use of equipment in the department. Correctly operates and demonstrates abilities in operating all sterilization and decontamination equipment according to policy and procedures. Contacts Facilities when equipment failure occurs.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining department quality monitors related to sterilization, sterile technique, all products requiring sterilization, and sterile handling/storage within the department. Maintains the Tray Tracking computer system database.
• Demonstrates knowledge of supplies and equipment specific to patient population across the age span (children, adolescents, adults, and elderly).
• Demonstrates ability to educate staff. Applies appropriate follow up to ensure training assignments are complete. Applies knowledge of regulatory requirements to all training sessions.
• Works collaboratively with Resource Coordinators with staffing needs for subsequent shifts and makes necessary arrangements for coverage. Prepares work schedule for Sterile Processing Staff.
• Assists in planning, designing and evaluation of training programs. Conducts training for processing employees regarding sterile processing and sterile handling techniques. Provides ongoing training and development for clinical competencies and mandatory education. Contributes to the development plans for all personnel. Integrates research and related literature into formal and informal education of others. Demonstrates clinical competence. Consistently demonstrates accountability for staff education.
• Assumes responsibility for meeting mandatory requirements by development of programs, presenting programs, and evaluation of all educational programs in the department.
• Responsible for the initial orientation of new employees to each work assignment and total department operation. Completes the required orientation documentation for all new employees. Provides feedback regarding progress of employees.
• Assists Resource Coordinators with rounds, when needed, to all areas of the department and Pods. Completes daily rounds documentation and enters QA into computer system.
• Ability to communicate with all departments, operating room staff, and surgeons in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner. Ability to use established communication channels to resolve work related problems.
• Provide on-call coverage during Holidays. Respond to all pages in a timely manner. On-call coverage to include communication to staff assignments for all shifts. On-call coverage includes being available for departmental coverage during staffing shortages.
• Maintains National or International Certification for Sterile Processing and Distribution. Assumes responsibility as a self-directed professional for own continuing education.
• Recommends changes to work processes or systems according to NMH strategies, regulatory requirements, industrial trends, technological developments, and competitive challenges.
• Provides coverage for the Resource Coordinator, as needed.
• Responsible for assigned special projects and other duties, as assigned by the Manager.
• Audits staff for accuracy and details per policy
• Schedule educational offerings with vendors.
• Coordinates team's development and implementation of standards of care consistent with the Operating Room philosophy, goals, and objectives.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• National (CBSPD) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification
• At least 2 years in a teaching position (Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of standing in a teaching position)
• Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in the use of all types of sterilization processes, decontamination, packaging and shelf life, including aseptic techniques and their applications to the various items processed.
• Minimum of 2-4 years supervisory, coordinator, or lead technician experience in Sterile Processing or related field.

Preferred:

• Associate or Bachelor Degree.
• Experience in adult education or willingness to enroll or continue classes which will assist in the development of educational plans and evaluation tools

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit ourBenefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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