Sterile Processing Supervisor

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

7/1/2023

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

422000

Job Title:

Sterile Processing Supervisor

Exemption Status:

Exempt

Management Level:

Supervisor/Program Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Sterile Processing Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the entire range of reprocessing services for all OR Service Lines and Procedural areas at multiple hospital locations and associated outpatient facilities.  The Supervisor will ensure that standards of operation for the many diverse locations under their purview are in compliance with the standards set by all regulatory agencies.

The Supervisor requires wide-ranging knowledge of instrumentation, equipment and techniques.  An extensive Reprocessing skill set is required for success in this position. The incumbent will provide instructions and/or in-services on new products, procedures and equipment to ensure the best possible support for our customers and the highest possible care for our patients.

Numerous internal and external relationships are involved in the performance of the duties of this position.  The incumbent interacts daily with a wide variety of staff, disciplines and customers.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

•

Ensures that the policies, procedures, and practices comply with the standards established by all regulatory agencies.

•

Responsible for the Human Resource functions within assigned shift(s) including: hiring, firing, promotion and discipline of employees. Supervises, trains, schedules and evaluates employees.

•

Provides oversight of specific areas including: surgical instrumentation, outpatient instrumentation, patient care equipment (IV pumps, epidural pumps, SCDs, etc.), Respiratory Therapy equipment, etc.

•

Cleans, decontaminates, inspects and assembles a high variety of complex surgical instruments and instrument sets.

•

Oversees the operation and troubleshooting of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization equipment.

•

Assists with all Patient Safety Net (PSN) investigations.

•

Processes instruments and medical devices from various research accounts, laboratories and non-affiliated customers.

•

Advises customers on proper cleaning, packaging and sterilization techniques appropriate to the items being reprocessed.

•

Determines the appropriate reprocessing method for the materials received.

•

Ensures tracking paperwork and customer charges are correct.

•

Maintains an audit trail for Reprocessing budget and accountability purposes.

•

Maintains compliance with labor standards and quality assurance measures.

•

Maintains knowledge of reprocessing standards, techniques, instrumentation and equipment through participation in professional organizations and attendance at relevant continuing education programs and conferences.

•

Assists in establishing and updating standards of supplies, chemicals and materials used in the area of responsibility. This includes sterile preparation, autoclaving, and operating room materials, preparing and submitting requisitions for non-inventory and inventory items, developing inventory standards and maintaining stock at the established levels, identifying items that are to be stored and withdrawn from the distribution area, and maintaining a list of unique items.

•

Develops professional relationships with staff, customers and vendors through communication and collaboration.

•

Interacts closely with the Surgical Services, Infection Control, Risk Management and Safety departments to identify and mitigate potential patient safety issues.

•

Assist with development of departmental operational and capital budgets.

•

Monitor operating costs through knowledge of operating budget and funding structure.

•

Assists in the implementation of new technologies that are used in the Reprocessing area, as well as new instrumentation used for many types of surgical procedures.

•

Follows-up on recalls if any items do not meet the standards for sterilization.

•

Establish, approve and update contents and procedures for preparation of all instrument trays.

•

Ensures the database of the instrument tracking system is maintained and accurate.

•

Initiates and develops programs that incorporate continuous improvement.

•

Identifies staff training needs and collaborates with the Sterile Processing Education Specialist, to provide guidance and support for staff education and certification.

•

Responsible for acting quickly, accurately and with a high level of expertise to address complex special projects which present themselves on a regular basis. Requires close contact and continued cooperation with customers along with significant systems maintenance.

ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

X

Non-Clinical

JOB REQUIREMENTS

High School Diploma

or equivalent

Required

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred

2 years

of experience in reprocessing.

Required

6 months

of progressively responsible lead or supervisory experience.

Required

1 year

of progressively responsible lead or supervisory experience.

Preferred

Certification by HSPA as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)

Upon Hire

Required

or

Certification by CBSPD as a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician

Upon Hire

Required

HSPA Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Certification or Certified Supervisor from CBSPD

Preferred

•

Must be able to stand for entire shift.

•

Knowledge of aseptic technique principles.

•

Extensive knowledge of methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization.

•

Extensive knowledge of operation and troubleshooting of all equipment used in Reprocessing.

•

Understanding of the principles and commitment to all standards of the OSHA Blood-borne pathogens standard.

•

Knowledge of and ability to use Windows based applications such as database, spreadsheet, word processing and materials management software.

•

Preferred basic knowledge of Tracking Systems and OR Scheduling Systems.

•

Ability to work independently and to interact with staff, department managers and medical faculty on sensitive clinical practice issues.

•

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

•

Demonstrated team-building aptitude.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one, which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☒

Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.