What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sterile Processing and Surgical Purchasing Manager position at UW Health?
Join Our Team! Sterile Processing Manager
Leading with Purpose. Collaborating with Passion. Delivering Excellence.
Are you ready to lead an exceptional team where people, collaboration, and patient safety come first? UW Health Swedish American Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking Sterile Processing Manager to lead our talented team of 25 professionals and support surgical services across both UW Health Swedish American Hospital and our growing UW Health Belvidere Hospital.
Be part of something exciting! Our Sterile Processing department is in the process of being fully renovated and will feature all-new equipment, creating an incredible opportunity for a leader to help shape the future of our department. This is your chance to champion innovation, optimize workflows, develop talented professionals, and strengthen our commitment to exceptional surgical care.
Why You'll Love This Opportunity
- An Incredible Team: Lead a dedicated group of 25 Sterile Processing professionals who value teamwork and accountability.
- Strong OR Partnerships: Collaborate closely with our Operating Room teams to ensure instrumentation and case carts are ready to support safe, efficient surgical care.
- Two Growing Hospital Campuses: Make an impact at UW Health Swedish American Hospital while helping support the continued growth and surgical needs of UW Health Belvidere Hospital.
- Advanced Technology: Work with state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation supporting a broad range of surgical specialties.
- A Culture of Growth: Empower team members through education, mentoring, competency development, and continuous improvement.
What You'll Lead
As our Sterile Processing Manager, you will oversee the daily operations of decontamination, instrument processing, sterilization, assembly, and case cart preparation to support surgical services at both hospital locations.
You will champion a culture where quality, service, and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, developing, and inspiring a team of 25 Sterile Processing professionals.
- Building strong, collaborative relationships with OR leadership, surgeons, and perioperative staff.
- Ensuring instruments and equipment are processed, assembled, sterilized, and delivered according to established standards and regulatory requirements.
- Driving operational efficiency, productivity, quality outcomes, and continuous improvement.
- Supporting staff education, preceptorship, mentorship, and ongoing competency development.
- Promoting accountability, engagement, communication, and a positive team culture.
- Supporting the evolving operational needs of both Swedish American Hospital and Belvidere Hospital.
Who We're Looking For
We are looking for a leader who understands that Sterile Processing is more than instrumentation-it is the foundation of safe surgical care.
Our ideal candidate is:
- A collaborative leader who builds trust and develops strong teams.
- Passionate about patient safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Committed to staff engagement, education, and professional development.
- A strategic thinker who can balance daily operational needs with long-term goals.
- A relationship builder who thrives on partnering with the OR to solve problems and improve outcomes.
- An advocate for innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Be Part of Something Bigger
At UW Health Swedish American Hospital and UW Health Belvidere Hospital, you'll have the opportunity to lead a great team, strengthen partnerships, support growing surgical services programs, and make a difference that reaches far beyond the Sterile Processing department.
If you're ready to inspire people, elevate performance, strengthen collaboration, and help us deliver exceptional surgical care, we want to hear from you!
Bring your leadership. Share your passion. Help us set the standard for Sterile Processing excellence.
Work Schedule:
100% FTE, Monday-Friday, you will work at UW Health Swedish American Hospital 1401 E State St.
Additional components of compensation may include:
Evening, night, and weekend shift differential
Overtime
On-call pay
At UW Health in northern Illinois, you will have:
* Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package including: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, retirement, short and long-term disability, paternity leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance
* Annual wellness reimbursement
* Opportunity for on-site day care through UW Health Kids
* Tuition reimbursement for career advancement--ask about our fully funded programs!
* Abundant career growth opportunities to nurture professional development
* Strong shared governance structure
* Commitment to employee voice
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare, Operations or a related field. Required
Work Experience
- 5 years of progressively responsible lead work, supervisory or management experience in Sterile Processing or Surgical Services. Required
Licenses & Certifications
- Professional Sterile Processing Certification (CRCST or CSPDT). Required
- Certified Materials and Resource Professional (CMRP) certification. Preferred
Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging
UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Job Description
UW Northern Illinois benefits