Assistant Director of Sterile Processing and Clinical Support Operations - School of Dental Medicine

Sterile Processing and Clinical Support Operations

The Assistant Director of Sterile Processing and Clinical Support Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the Central Sterilization Facility and related clinical support workflows within Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

• Ensures that instruments, handpieces, burs, endo files, and related clinical assets are appropriately inventoried, decontaminated, inspected, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored, distributed, and tracked in a quality and timely manner.
• Establishes, maintains, and enforces operating procedures, service expectations, workflow standards, and escalation protocols to support reliable day-to-day operations.
• Pairs with dispensaries, clinic leadership, and other operational stakeholders to ensure that instrumentation and sterile processing support remain aligned with undergraduate and postgraduate clinic needs.
• Covers vendor relationships, service support, repair and sharpening programs, and preventive maintenance planning related to sterile processing equipment and clinical instrumentation.
• Safeguards departmental work areas, equipment, and processing environments in a clean, safe, organized, and functional state.
• Serves as a key operational liaison across clinics, dispensaries, Infection Control, Materials Management, Facilities, Quality and Safety, and other departments as needed.
• Supports communication, planning, and coordination for clinical support activities that intersect with sterile processing operations.
• Participates in projects and operational initiatives that strengthen clinical readiness, support the educational mission, and improve the consistency of support services.
• Evaluates products, services, and vendors for quality, value, operational impact, and alignment with departmental needs.
• Practices principles of effective resource management, including cost control, waste reduction, time management, and appropriate inventory oversight.
• Supports loss prevention efforts involving instrumentation and related equipment.

Leadership, Staff Development, and Performance Management

Provides day-to-day leadership through the supervisory structure for sterile processing staff and related support personnel. Responsible for hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, evaluating, and managing performance in accordance with Tufts Human Resources policies and institutional expectations. Builds a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and service excellence within the department. Ensures staff are well trained, appropriately assigned, and operating in accordance with defined standards and schedules. Conducts regular trainings, competency reviews, and developmental conversations to improve staff capability and readiness. Develops growth opportunities for staff and supports professional development, including certification pathways where appropriate. Addresses performance concerns, attendance issues, and conduct matters in a timely, consistent, and professional manner. Strengthens the supervisor layer and ensures that frontline leadership is effectively managing workflow, communication, and employee accountability.

Quality Assurance, Documentation, and Regulatory Readiness

Ensures that appropriate quality assurance and control measures are in place to evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning, disinfection, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution practices. Reviews, verifies, and monitors sterilization documentation, biological testing, load records, and related operational documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness. Maintains and continuously improves departmental SOPs, manuals, workflows, audit tools, orientation materials, and related documents. Conducts and supports regular operational, cleanliness, and compliance audits. Ensures readiness for inspections, surveys, and reviews related to sterile processing operations and associated support functions. Partners with Infection Control and other institutional stakeholders to support adherence to OSHA, CDC, DPH, AAMI, OSAP, or other applicable standards and guidelines. Identifies trends, risks, and recurring issues and implements corrective actions and sustainable process improvements.

Cross-Functional Clinical Support Coordination

Serves as a key operational liaison across clinics, dispensaries, Infection Control, Materials Management, Facilities, Quality and Safety, and other departments as needed. Supports communication, planning, and coordination for clinical support activities that intersect with sterile processing operations. Helps standardize operational handoffs, communication processes, and service expectations across internal partners. Participates in projects and operational initiatives that strengthen clinical readiness, support the educational mission, and improve the consistency of support services. Contributes to broader discussions regarding workflow integration, service optimization, and operational governance.

Inventory, Vendor, and Resource Management

Oversees the stewardship of instruments, related supplies, and selected equipment necessary to support sterile processing and clinic operations. Partners with Finance and Materials Management as needed to support budget planning, equipment replacement discussions, inventory optimization, and cost stewardship. Evaluates products, services, and vendors for quality, value, operational impact, and alignment with departmental needs. Practices principles of effective resource management, including cost control, waste reduction, time management, and appropriate inventory oversight. Supports loss prevention efforts involving instrumentation and related equipment.