Sterile Processing Supervisor

At Wentworth-Douglass, we value people who contribute to patient-centered care that enhances community health; we recognize and reward those who share our values and transform our patients' lives. We invite you to explore opportunities, cultivate community wellness and professional growth.
The Sterile Processing Supervisor functions as a consultant for issues of disinfection, cross contamination and sterile procedures, collaborates department functions with operating room and all ancillary locations, reviews and monitors all work areas at routine intervals to validate compliance with policies, procedures, regulations and standards, validates that sterilization equipment is in proper working order, keeps log of equipment/instrumentation repairs, partakes in staff meetings and continual education programs, reviews specifications and manages the purchase or replacement of necessary equipment, materials and services, develops and recommends to the Director, long and short term goals and objectives for Sterile Processing to improve service, increase productivity and manage staff, is responsible for the orientation, training, supervision and scheduling of departmental staff, oversees decontamination, preparation, and sterilization of equipment and supplies in accordance with AAMI guidelines and infection control policies and procedures, has a thorough working knowledge of steam sterilizers, washer decontaminators, and Sterrad, oversees assembling of hospital wide instrument trays and labeling, oversees, performs required record keeping including, but not limited to, steam, and Sterrad sterilization records, and biological monitoring records, oversees routine maintenance to ensure continued functioning of equipment, oversees maintenance of work area in a clean and organized manner, and performs similar or related duties as directed or required.
1. Assumes supervisory role within the department.
a. Assures that department policies, practices and procedures conform to all appropriate regulations and standards.
b. Supervises staff to include making assignments, monitoring productivity, monitoring breaks, triaging and facilitating work load and assuring adequate departmental coverage.
c. Ensures that instrument trays and other items are properly decontaminated, assembled and sterilized.
d. Assures that sterilization practices and equipment meet quality standards.
e. Investigates problems/concerns and develops and implements action plans to resolve.
f. Monitors individual performance and provides necessary guidance in the form of encouragement and coaching and feedback if necessary.
g. Promotes the certification of all technicians.
h. Continually assesses and proactively manages department workload and coordinates resources to meet priorities.
i. Identifies cost and quality opportunities and brings them to the attention of the manager. Participates in the quality process.

2. Distributes department resources efficiently and appropriately.
. Maintains an adequate inventory of instruments and other necessary supplies.
a. Orders supplies and instruments needed for the department.
b. Maintains instrumentation in an optimal state of repair or replaces the instrumentation.
c. Maintains staffing to meet the needs of all customers including OR and outside clinics using Sterile Processing services.
d. Has the ability to assume staffing responsibilities in the role of the SP Tech to assure the smooth operation of Surgical Processing.
e. Produces staffing schedule for employees.

3. Carries out administrative tasks to facilitate department operations.
. Maintains departmental policies and procedures in accordance with organizational and regulatory guidelines.
a. Assists with departmental policy development, revision and review.
b. Sends out instruments for repair and coordinates instrumentation for on-site repair when necessary.
c. Assists with in-service planning.
d. Utilizes instrument tracking computer software to document all functions related to storage and distribution.
e. Provides reports needed to monitor department expenses.
f. Provides input on budgetary considerations, at budget time.

4. Acts as a liaison with all customers, managing instrument inventory and assuring timely distribution of instruments to all customers.
. Works with OR buyer to ensure adequate supply of instrumentation is available in working order.
a. Acts as liaison between the OR and SPD to promote effective communication.
b. Ensures all customers are aware of instrumentation that is out for repair, on order, on backorder, or newly arrived.
c. Prioritizes according to customer needs.
d. Assures timely delivery of sterilized items to customers.
e. Responds professionally and efficiently to all routine and urgent customer requests.

5. Responsible for annual evaluations, orientation, counseling, interviewing candidates, approval of time cards, hiring and discipline of employees in conjunction with AVP.
. Performs evaluations for assigned personnel for final review in conjunction with AVP.
a. Oversees orientation of new employees.
b. Assists in counseling employees. Initiates discipline process when required in conjunction with AVP.
c. Conducts interviews of new candidates and recommends action or not for hiring applicant based on completion on interview documentation.
d. Reviews and approves Kronos.