Job Description

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 healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

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 Sterile Equipment Processing maintains a National/International Certification in Sterile Processing and Distribution. 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

• Supports the Feinberg Pavilion and Prentice Women’s Hospital,
• Providing supervision to staff who disassemble, decontaminate, assemble, sterilize and store procedure trays, instruments, equipment and supplies according to prescribed procedure and aseptic technique.
• Ensure 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.
• Directs, prioritizes, and adjusts staff work assignments for assigned shift to ensure timely and accurate delivery of OR equipment, supplies, and case carts.
• 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.
• Ability to properly demonstrate and instruct staff to sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies using various types of sterilizers.
• Ability to properly demonstrate and instruct 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.
• Ability to properly demonstrate and instruct 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. Assist in policy and procedure development, implementation, and review process.
• Identifies and follows proper procedures for use of equipment in the department. Correctly operates and can demonstrate 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 can demonstrate 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.
• Assign priority to emergency requests and issue required supplies and equipment based on knowledge of procedure intended.
• Assemble, wrap material, or place in solid container instruments and supplies according to established aseptic technique.
• Responsible for obtaining all preference sheets for surgical schedule. Oversee 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. Ensure all work areas and equipment are cleaned and maintained according to Infection Control standards and to ensure a safe work environment. Comply with regulatory, Environmental, Safety, Hazardous Materials, and Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Assist in orientation of new employees to each work assignment area and total department operation. Complete the required orientation documentation for new employees assigned to the shift. Provide feedback regarding progress of employees. Provide 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.
• Ability to communicate with all departments, operating room staff, CSS staff and surgeons in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner. Ability to use established communication channels to resolve work related problems.
• Provide on-call coverage during the weekends and holiday hours. Respond to all pages in a timely manner. On-call coverage to include 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.
• Participate in the capital and operational budget planning process.
• Prepare timecards with appropriate codes for all staff.
• Prepare 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 the Technical Educator.
• Responsible for assigned special projects and other duties, as assigned by the Manager.

Quality Management Responsibility :

• Represent CSS on hospital committees and process improvement teams, as assigned.
• Represent NMH in various industry/professional associations.
• Biological spore testing, documentation, and recording results of all types of sterilization methods. (Steam, Flash, Plasma, Gas, and ETO sterilization)
• Required to participate in the Department Quality Management Plan, as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

• National (NICHSPDP) or International (IAHCSMM) Certification
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Five 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:

• Associate Degree

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer 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.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

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