Central Sterile Processing Educator - Full Time

About the role

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines. Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work? The Sterile Processing Educator (Central Sterile Processing Educator) is responsible for coordinating and performing activities in multiple roles to achieve optimal staff performance outcomes among all Surgical Services Departments. Develops Sterile Processing educational programs regarding proper decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization methods. Collaborates with Sterile Processing Departments (SPD) to ensure Sterile Processing staff are properly trained and operating within the guidelines set forth by various industry standards and regulations including, but not limited to HSPA, CBSPD, AORN, The Joint Commission, FDA, CDC, OSHA, and AAMI. Will ensure quality patient care through integration of philosophy, professional activities and supervision of staff and support services for the areas of responsibility within Surgical Services. In collaboration with the Surgical Services Professional Development Specialist (PDS), Sterile Processing Educator (Central Sterile Processing Educator) develops, implements and evaluates designated educational programs including orientation, competency assessments, continuing education and in-services. Will coordinate all aspects impacting patient care within the Sterile Processing Departments at each location (Main Hospital, MAP and Monroe) and is an expert in sterilization and HLD processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop unit-based performance improvement multidisciplinary programs, which support the institution’s continuous performance improvement program.
• Will develop and implement an PMPH Sterile Processing Educational program, will support the educational Perioperative 101 program, and the PMPH Surgical Tech training program.
• Responsible for initial and ongoing staff orientation, training and continuous assessments of skills and knowledge to include decontamination, instrument tray assembly, instrument tray storage, sterilization processes and standard precautions to ensure patient safety.
• In collaboration with leadership, and PDS team and organizational objectives, develops, implements, and evaluates designated programs including but not limited to development of a continuing educational program, orientation, required annual, continuous competence assessment, continuing education, vendor in-services.
• Responsible for documentation and record maintenance for all team member competencies in the Sterile Processing Department including managers and supervisors.
• Conducts audits of staff training records to ensure compliance with governing guidelines.
• Facilitates in collaboration with leadership individual, change management processes, work and accountability processes, performance consultation while developing programs to mentor staff and development of job/performance aids to promote quality improvement initiatives based on data collection and performance improvement initiatives.
• Routinely works various shifts to perform quality checks and provide training to the off shifts.
• Provides technical assistance to SPD staff for the assembly of complex surgical instrument sets and provides technical assistance to surgical techs and other Perioperative clinical staff for instrument related issues.
• Responsible for the knowledge-transfer and ongoing education of staff as they prepare for certifications such as CBSPD (Certification Board of Sterile Processing & Distribution) or HSP