Manager Sterile Processing

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.

We're proud to share that St. Michael Medical Center was recognized among the Best Hospitals in Washington state by U.S. News & World Report.

Role:

Manager of Sterile Processing is responsible for planning, managing and evaluating the daily operations of Sterile Processing Departments and all facets of sterile instrument processing and associated functions for St. Joseph Medical Center, ensuring that all activities are conducted in a cost-effective and efficient manner and are compliant with manufacturer recommendations, professional standards, internal policies/standards/procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.  Work is strongly focused on identifying/ensuring customer/patient satisfaction through timely and effective infection control processes, sterility assurance and product availability and an incumbent is accountable for keeping potential risk for infection at a minimum by monitoring all phases of reprocessing devices and reusable equipment.Work includes: 1) overseeing instrument inventory management, including maintenance/use of associated technology/automated systems for instrument management, tracking and reporting; 2) ensuring optimum staffing levels for all shifts; 3) supervising staff performing work in support of the functions of the department, including addressing performance management issues; 4) participating in vendor/contract management; 5) troubleshooting/resolving issues escalated to first-level management.  An incumbent is also involved in budget preparation and administration and is responsible for monitoring/controlling expenses and maintaining costs within approved budget parameters and collaborating with clinical areas that use sterilized devices and equipment to ensure patient needs are met.

Work requires advanced knowledge of surgical instrument and power systems, and the standards, processes and equipment relating to decontamination, preparation, sterilization and distribution of surgical instruments, trays, equipment.  Also requires knowledge of current science-based literature/methodologies for infection control, instrument maintenance, sterilization, disinfection and management.  An incumbent will apply standards relating to employee supervision, human relations and continuous performance improvement, safety/risk management and quality/expense control in the overall coordination and supervision of the assigned functions.

Essential Duties:

Manages and evaluates the operations/services of the sterile processing functions to ensure that all activities are conducted in a timely/cost-effective manner and in accordance with organizational values, internal policies/standards/procedures, collective bargaining agreements and/or applicable regulatory requirements; modifies work-flow processes and/or auditing functions as necessary to improve  performance/productivity and customer service; ensures that work unit activities, productivity, and/or quality indicators are documented in accordance with FHS guidelines; troubleshoots emergent issues and resolves per established guidelines; ensures that appropriate automated systems are maintained in a timely and accurate manner; produces reports on key performance indices and other significant benchmarking metrics to FHS Leadership as required; collaborates with other departments to address and resolve problems, share information and enhance overall effectiveness/productivity; maintains patient safety by ensuring appropriate policies, procedures are implemented for the cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization of reusable medical devices.

Schedules, supervises and evaluates the work of assigned staff engaged in sterilizing/processing equipment/supplies and in setting up surgical instrument trays in accordance with established procedures; assists in identifying adequate staffing levels for appropriate coverage to meet budgetary and operational objectives; adjusts staffing as needed during shift(s) to meet customer needs; interviews job candidates and makes employment and other personnel decisions in accordance with established guidelines; orients employees and holds regular staff meetings to keep employees appraised of all matters relevant to successful job performance; develops and delivers ongoing continuing education programs to ensure that employees possess the knowledge/skills necessary to meet new/changing standards and requirements; approves timecards; communicates performance standards and evaluates employee performance; counsels employees, providing constructive feed back and recognizing results achieved; participates in performance management activities and resolves technical issues referred by subordinates as beyond their scope of authority.

Interprets and ensures compliance with applicable internal/external legal and regulatory agreements, standards and requirements; receives/reviews internal/external audits and survey reports/findings to determine appropriate changes or corrective action required; keeps abreast of changing regulatory requirements/regulations and competitive industry practices impacting assigned functions, as well as organizational initiatives/changes with potential to impact current operations; monitors impact on existing activities and identifies/implements effective response/solution while maintaining acceptable service levels and work quality; keeps abreast of applicable infection control requirements.

Monitors and assesses current operations/services to identify opportunities and provide recommendations to Director for performance/process improvements initiatives; monitors and assures compliance with safety, infection control, regulatory, sterility standards, inventory control procedures, and established distribution schedules; implements approved changes and ensures that staff receive the necessary on-site training and consultation to enhance their understanding of quality/performance improvement initiatives.

Serves on teams engaged in the development and updating of policies, procedures, workflows, tools and action plans; recommends, implements and evaluates new/revised standards, policies, procedures, guidelines, training materials and/or general communications in support of assigned functional area to ensure consistency with the philosophy/values of the organization and compliance with applicable regulatory/accreditation requirements; ensures that all functional activities are fully documented in accordance with the standards and practices of the organization; ensures that employees understand and apply internal guidelines appropriately. 

Participates in annual budget planning and administration relative to assigned responsibilities; monitors work schedules to control overtime and/or premium pay; monitors/approves expenditures within defined scope of responsibility, including instrument repair/replacement costs; explains variances and addresses in a timely manner; informs manager of all issues with potential for budgetary impact. 

Participates, as a key member of the management team for the assigned function, in short- and long-term planning activities, including the development/implementation of plans/projects to address current and future needs to support achievement of business objectives.  

Education/Work Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the duties of the position, graduation from an accredited CS Technician course, and four years of progressively responsible related work experience (preferably in a hospital environment) that demonstrate attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities, including a minimum of two years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Graduation from a school of nursing from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Licensure/Certification

Current certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) at hire, or within one year of date of hire, is required.

Possession of SPD Supervisor or SPD Manager certification is preferred.

Current healthcare provider BLS certification.