Resource Coordinator Sterile Equipment Processing - Feinberg, Full-time, Days

Placement within the salary range is dependent on relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

Pay

$26.12 - $35.26 (Hourly Rate)

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

About the role

The Resource Coordinator Sterile Equipment Processing reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, 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. The Resource Coordinator maintains a National/International Certification in Sterile Processing and Distribution and provides direct and indirect supervision to Sterile Processing Technicians. Must have a thorough knowledge of aseptic techniques and procedures, sterilization techniques, infection control procedures, workflow principles and regulatory requirements. Assigns staff to ensure timely and accurate delivery of OR equipment, supplies and case carts.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Supports all NMH and RNSC CSS Departments
• Provides supervision to staff who disassemble, decontaminate, assemble, sterilize and store procedure trays, instruments, equipment and supplies according to prescribed procedure and aseptic technique.
• Ensures accuracy of case cart distribution to Surgical Services
• Responsible for sterilization, biological processes, and all policies and procedures and adherence of safety and infection control standards.

Duties:

• Directs, prioritizes, and adjusts staff work assignments for assigned shift to ensure timely and accurate delivery of OR equipment, supplies, and case carts.
• Ensures employees are in assigned work positions throughout shift and reports any issues to the manager.
• Assigns staff to job duties to meet the demands of patient care areas, patient volume, trauma emergencies, and staff vacancies.
• Demonstrates knowledge and use of Tray Tracking computer system in assigned areas of the department.
• Instructs staff in the use of the Tray Racking computer system as it relates to their job duties.
• Demonstrates and instructs staff to sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies using various types of sterilizers.
• Demonstrates and instructs staff to load sterilizers in the prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature according to material and requirements of items being sterilized.
• Demonstrates and instructs staff to complete appropriate manual and electronic documentation record prior to sterilization, read and initial autoclave graph to verify appropriate sterilization cycle and provide required records for regulatory agencies.
• Follows all departmental policies and procedures, ensures all staff complies with policies and procedures. Assists in policy and procedure development, implementation, and review process.
• Identifies and follows proper procedures for use of equipment in the department. Correctly operates and demonstrates abilities in operating all sterilization and decontamination equipment according to policy and procedures. Contacts Facilities Management when equipment failures occur.
• Delegates duties to staff and demonstrates how to assemble trays according to the prescribed manner, wrap package/solid container and handle all items following procedure; mark items with identifying data and distribute or store in designated area.
• Responsible for problem solving instrument tray issues and tray turnover as needed.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining department quality monitors related to sterilization, sterile techniques, all products requiring sterilization, and sterile handling/storage within the department.
• Responsible for notifying Manager of positive biological spore testing and immediately initiates recall procedure.
• Demonstrates knowledge of supplies and equipment specific to patient population.
• Responsible for following physician’s preference sheet and dispense requests for sterile instrumentation and supplies.
• Assigns priority to emergency requests and issues required supplies and equipment based on knowledge of procedure intended.
• Assembles, wraps material, or places in solid container instruments and supplies according to established aseptic technique.
• Responsible for obtaining all preference sheets for surgical schedule. Oversees accuracy and distribution of case carts to Surgical Services.
• Identifies and communicates specific instrument requests on surgical schedule to staff.
• Demonstrates ability to delegate duties to staff and apply appropriate follow up to ensure assignments are complete.
• Assists in staffing needs for subsequent shift and makes necessary arrangements for coverage. Manages overtime within budgetary allowances.
• Ensures all work areas and equipment are cleaned and maintained according to Infection Control standards and to ensure a safe work environment. Complies with regulatory, Environmental, Safety, Hazardous Materials, and Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Assists in orientation of new employees to each work assignment area and total department operation. Completes the required orientation documentation for new employees assigned to the shift. Provides feedback regarding progress of employees. Provides input to Manager regarding staff Annual Performance Management Review and/or Action Plan.
• Throughout the shift, performs rounds to all areas of the department and PODS. Completes daily rounds documentation.
• Communicates with all departments, operating room staff, CSS staff and surgeons in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner. Uses established communication channels to resolve work related problems.
• Provides on-call coverage during the weekends and holiday hours. Responds to all pages in a timely manner. On-call coverage includes communicating staff assignments for all shifts. On-call coverage includes being available for departmental coverage during staffing shortages.
• Attends all hospital educational training. Participates in the department educational training throughout the year. Ensures that all staff working (regular or overtime hours) attends departmental training sessions.
• Maintains National or International Certification for Sterile Processing. Assumes responsibility as a self-directed professional for own continuing education.
• Participates in the capital and operational budget planning process.
• Prepares timecards with appropriate codes for all staff.
• Prepares work schedule for Sterile Processing Staff.
• Recommends changes to work processes or systems according to NMH strategies, regulatory requirements, industrial trends, technological developments, and competitive challenges.
• Monitors employee attendance and notifies manager of issues, as appropriate.
• Provides coverage for all SPD positions as needed (tech I, tech II, RC, educator), could involve required overtime.
• Responsible for assigned special projects and other duties, as assigned by the Manager.
• Attends service line meetings and provides service line meeting summary to leadership team.

Quality Management Responsibility:

• Represents CSS on hospital committees and process improvement teams, as assigned.
• Represents NMH in various industry/professional associations.
• Biological spore testing, documentation, and recording results of all types of sterilization methods (Steam, IUSS, Sterrad, HLD).
• Required to participate in the Department Quality Management Plan, as needed.
• Provides feedback to technicians with repeated quality events.
• Orders replacement instruments as needed based on requests or nonconforming tray reports.
• Conducts tray audits, compliance audits, department audits, and other quality checks as needed.
• Documents quality events and tracks follow up actions.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• National (NICHSPDP) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification
• Three years or more experience in a Sterile Processing Department
• Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation
• Knowledge and understanding of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, basic microbiology, and a variety of OR surgical procedures
• Minimum of one year supervisory or coordinator experience in Sterile Processing or related field
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills
• Physical ability to lift, push, pull or move 30lbs

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree