Senior Director of Sterile Processing

Requisition Title

Senior Director of Sterile Processing
Requisition ID

2026-39857
Category

Business Professional
Job Locations

US-KY-Lexington
Community

System Lexington
Posted Date

10/21/2026
Position Type

Regular Full-Time
Department

Clinic -6840
Shift

Day Shift
Facility/Process Level : Location

US-KY-Lexington
Requisition Post Information* : External Company Name

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.
Requisition Post Information* : External Company URL

www.arh.org
Facility/Process Level : Postal Code

40505
Facility/Process Level : Address

2260 Executive Drive

Qualifications:

Education/Licensure/Certification

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in related field. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered, with the expectation that a bachelor’s degree is obtained within three (3) years of hire if not on hire.
• Professional Certification: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification preferred at time of hire; required to obtain 12 months if not certified on hire.
• Other Preferred Certification: Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) • Certified Endoscope Reprocessing (CER) • Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) or equivalent certification.

Minimum Work Experience

• Five (5) years of experience in sterile processing or perioperative setting.
• Leadership experience preferred

 

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
• Strong understanding of rural Appalachian culture
• Broad knowledge of sterile processing including current trends, safety precaution policies, equipment, electronic healthcare records
• (EHR) management software, accrediting agency standards, and local/state/federal regulations.
• Working understanding of adult teaching/learning theories and program assessment, program design, promotion and marketing implementation and evaluation processes.
• Attention to detail with time management and organization skills with the ability to work with a high degree of initiative and independence.
• Possesses solid written and public speaking skills, including the ability to clearly and professionally explain medical, technical, or sensitive information to diverse audiences.
• Experience presenting educational programs preferred.
• Intermediate knowledge of word processing, presentation, and email software, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook, in addition to a working understanding of Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Captivate, electronic medical record, and an aptitude for learning new programs.
• Work independently, as well as being part of a team, while demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Prioritize and delegate assignments under varied and urgent conditions while working within standardized procedures and practices to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.
• Identify and solve complex problems based on the analysis of multiple sources of information while providing new perspectives on existing solutions.
• Ensure the privacy of each patient’s Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Develop collaborative relationships with various groups internally and externally, including clinical and support staff, other departments, management, ARH clinical nurse educators, SPD leaders and frontline staff, Directors and Managers of Surgery, Infection Prevention dept., Ambulatory and clinic staff, and regulatory agencies to coordinate educational needs and ensure compliance.

Responsibilities:

System-Level Leadership & Strategic Coordination
• Serve as the system-level leader and central point of coordination for sterile processing services across all Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) facilities.
• Provide leadership and guidance to facility sterile processing leaders to ensure consistent, standardized workflows, practices, and policies across the system.
• Interpret the impact of enterprise-wide organizational and operational change on sterile processing staff and leaders and develop strategies to support successful implementation.
• Incorporate ARH’s mission, vision, and values into sterile processing goals, initiatives, and performance expectations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to formulate system objectives, goals, and strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
Operational Excellence & Performance Management
• Lead system-wide initiatives to improve instrument availability, turnaround times, workflow reliability, and overall sterile processing performance.
• Develop, implement, and manage operational initiatives with clearly defined, measurable outcomes.
• Establish, monitor, and analyze system-level key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sterile processing operations, quality, and efficiency.
• Prepare and present reports to operational and executive leadership outlining progress toward annual goals and objectives, including performance related to quality, safety, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure sterile processing policies, procedures, and practices comply with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards.
• Develop and maintain system policies and procedures while accounting for facility-specific equipment, layout, and operational considerations.
• Conduct routine audits and tracers of sterile processing practices across all facilities and coordinate corrective action plans for identified gaps.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements, reprocessing standards, emerging best practices, instrumentation, technology, and equipment through professional engagement and continuing education.
Quality Improvement & Infection Prevention
• Lead and support root cause analyses for sterile processing–related quality or safety events and oversee implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Infection Prevention, Perioperative Services, and Quality teams to reduce surgical site infection risk through optimized sterile processing practices.
• Serve as a clinical subject matter expert, applying evidence-based standards and professional guidelines to improve system reliability and patient safety.

Education, Training & Professional Development
• Collaborate with system education partners to develop and support standardized training, onboarding, and competency validation for sterile processing staff and leaders.
• Promote professional certification (e.g., CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL) and ongoing professional development across the sterile processing workforce.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and instrumentation impacting sterile processing workflows and practices.
Inventory, Resources & Capital Planning
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Facilities, and Surgical Services to standardize instrument sets, supplies, and materials used in sterile processing and the operating room.
• Participate in system capital planning related to sterile processing equipment, utilities, technology upgrades, and infrastructure needs.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency, and resource optimization while maintaining quality, safety, and compliance.
Collaboration, Communication & Professional Practice
• Serve as a liaison between facility sterile processing departments, perioperative leadership, Infection Prevention, Facilities, Supply Chain, and system administration.
• Facilitate system-wide sterile processing meetings, workgroups, and collaborative forums as needed.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, teamwork, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Act as a mentor, resource, and advocate for sterile processing best practices across the system.
• Uphold patient privacy, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all aspects of the role.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of organizational objectives.