CENTRAL STERILE PROCESSING (CSR) LEAD TECHNICIAN

Position Summary:
Under the general supervision of the Surgical Services Nursing Supervisor, the Central Sterile Processing (CSR) Lead Technician will assist in the oversight of the daily operations of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) to ensure the safe, timely, and compliant processing of surgical instruments and equipment. The duties of this role include, but are not limited to, providing leadership to sterile processing staff, supporting quality and productivity goals, and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead daily sterile processing operations, including decontamination, assembly, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and trays.
• Oversight to ensure compliance with instrument decontamination and sterilization processes.
• Provide direct oversight, coaching, and support to sterile processing technicians across assigned shifts, which may include rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, or on-call responsibilities.
• Coordinates and serves as a liaison between the operating room and sterile processing department. 
• Ensure compliance with AAMI, AORN, Joint Commission, State, Federal, Tribal, and facility policies and procedures.
• Monitor workflow, case readiness, tray accuracy, and turnaround times to support surgical services
• Address instrument issues, missing items, tray errors, and urgent case needs in collaboration with the OR and leadership
• Conduct routine audits, quality checks, and process reviews to identify improvement opportunities.
• Investigate and resolve process failures, documentation errors, and non-compliance events.
• Participate in staff training, onboarding, competency validation, and continuing education.
• Assist with performance management, including feedback, corrective action, and evaluations.
• Support inventory control, instrument tracking systems, and equipment maintenance coordination.
• Promote effective shift-to-shift communication and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Model professionalism, accountability, and service excellence at all times.
• Ensure strict confidentiality of all patient and employee information.
• Work independently and collaboratively and set priorities appropriately.
• Be familiar with SPD and medical terminology.
• Always abide by SMH personnel policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory agency standards and regulations, including The Joint Commission, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), and other tribal, state, or federal regulatory bodies.
• Assure appropriate coordination with other hospital departments when special surgical needs occur.
• Collaborate with the Surgical Services Supervisor to align staffing levels with the surgical schedule and special needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with a focus on patient safety and regulatory compliance
• Effective problem-solver with the ability to coach and mentor staff
• Proficient in sterile processing documentation and tracking systems
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and regulations (The Joint Commission, CMS, Federal, state, tribal regulatory agencies).
• Maintain current American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/First Aid/AED certification
• Must possess excellent attention to detail.
• Must be able to communicate professionally and effectively with others.
• Must be familiar with basic medical terminology.
• Must possess basic computer skills.
• Ability to speak the Navajo language and/or familiarity with the Navajo way preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Must exhibit a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds, with co-workers at all levels.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, lift, use manual dexterity (e.g., grasping or reaching with hands and arms), and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in a hospital or surgical services setting, with exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions, including the use of protective equipment and exposure to bloodborne pathogens, biohazardous materials, and chemicals. Exposure to latex products on a routine basis.  May include extended, irregular, or rotating hours and shifts, weekend and holiday work, and on-call responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess a CRCST, CSPDT, or equivalent sterile processing certification (HSPA/CBSPD) or obtain within six months of hire.
• Minimum of at least six (6) years of experience in sterile processing.
• Must have progressive experience in a supervisory/lead role, such as a lead or senior technician (required).
• Must have a strong working knowledge of sterilization methods, instrumentation, and SPD workflows.
• Leadership or management training preferred (e.g. CSPM, CIS, etc.)
• Experience with productivity tracking, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
• Current American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/First Aid/AED certification.
• Must be able to successfully pass the Employee Health Program requirements and background investigation.