Lead Sterile Processing Tech-Full-time Days

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?

The Sterile Processing Technician Lead 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:

• Supports and enables the delivery of quality patient care service.
• May interact with various hospital departments, physician’s offices, and outside vendors to effectively assist in the management of department operations.
• Promotes a positive first impression with department and clinic personnel, vendor representatives, and guests, establishing a role as resource for end-users.
• Encourages teamwork and effective communication with staff, promoting the philosophy and objectives of NM and department.  Serves as a resource to staff and end-users.
•   Supports quality assurance programs for the department.  Promptly identifies and communicates problems and critical issues to the manager.
• Helps identify strengths and weaknesses of employees to properly assess employee growth throughout the year.  May provide performance and productivity feedback to the Sterile Processing Manager for performance evaluations.
• Identifies and assesses learning needs related to processes and procedures including decontamination, assembly, sterilization, inventory storage, and OR case cart distribution.
• Assists with educational offerings, policy reviews and revision, competencies, quality assurance, and daily rounds.
• Develops, promotes, and encourages staff education and certification, and assists in the orientation and training of new and existing staff.
• Monitors Operating Room (OR) schedule and priorities, adjusting Sterile Processing staff levels through daily assignments.
• Performs daily OR and Sterile Processing rounds, including audits of documentation, and accuracy of case cart instrument and supply requirements.  Documents and reports findings.
• Performs daily OR and Sterile Processing audits of decontamination equipment testing results and sterilization records/printouts.  Documents and reports findings.  Stores according to department policy.
• Coordinates instrument processing and turnaround activities and workflow.  Communicates with OR and vendor representatives as needed.
• Monitors utilization of supplies and equipment for optimal efficiency, cost containment, and timely reordering of instruments, fracture implants, robotic supplies, department supplies, and recycling programs.
• Maintains communication board and Instructions for Use files.
• May act as the liaison between OR and Sterile Processing.
• Assists with the selection of new team members.
• Works with OR to develop and revise instrument trays and orders instruments as needed.
• Assists in the management and coordination of new instrument reviews, purchases, instrument replacement, instrument refurbishment, and instrument repairs.  Maintains documentation.
• Maintains the instrument tracking system including the building and revision of instrument count sheets.
• Monitors loaner instrumentation/equipment requests and reprocessing.      
• Coordinate with NM Materials Management in inventory control and in the evaluation and procurement of new product requests.  Assists with recycling programs.
• Reports instances of equipment irregularities and failure as soon as possible and coordinates service/maintenance follow-up as needed.
• Assists in reviewing and updating policies and procedures for content and accuracy; makes necessary changes; and in the enforcement of policies and procedures
• Maintains communication board and assists in the review and update of the manufacturers’ instructions for use.  Assists in providing guidance for new and one-time use items.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Certification from either CBSPD or IAHCSMM. Maintains certification.
• More than three years of related work experience required.

 

Preferred

• IAHCSMM Instrument Specialist and CHL (Healthcare Leadership)
• Word/Excel

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.

Background Check

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. 

Benefits

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 our Benefits 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.