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..

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities. 

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

Visit our website at www.stmichaelopening.org  for 360 degree photos and a virtual tour of the new hospital!

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.