Department Information

Description of Job

This position serves as the hospital's sole subject matter expert and will direct departments across the hospital with regard to Sterile Processing and Central Medical Supplies. This position serves as the work lead and coordinates the program/department and services from providing expert evaluation and consultation of sterile processing processes/practices to ensuring compliance by performing safe, efficient, high-quality decontamination and sterilization of reusable medical instruments to ensuring smooth central medical supply operations which include fulfilling orders and maintaining inventories to supervising the duties of department personnel including the sterile processing / central medical supply technician to overseeing all administrative activities/operations of the sterile processing and central medical supply departments.
Sterile Processing Subject Matter Expert:

• This position serves as the hospital's sole subject matter expert in the sterilization of medical instruments and equipment.
• Directs departments across the hospital such as Dental, Medical Clinic, and patient units with regard to Sterile Processing and Central Medical Supply services and liaises with different departments to ensure needs are being met (i.e. working with Housekeeping to ensure proper donning of PPE {personal protective equipment} and cleaning of the departments)
• Interprets professional practice standards to develop, author, set and implement departmental goals, policies, and procedures for the department that are compliant with industry practices for The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
• Maintains regulatory compliance related to the functions of the sterile processing and central medical supply program/department including but not limited to the development and maintenance of records, logs, competencies, etc.
• May represent the Sterile Processing Department to individuals and groups; attends meetings and conferences; participates on committees as assigned.
• Manages, and is accountable for, the replenishment, distribution, and maintenance of sterile processing equipment and supplies; ensures proper equipment function as well as timely and preventative maintenance of equipment; establishes maintenance and replacement schedules; monitors and assures the proper use of chemicals and personal safety equipment.
• Collaborates with distribution on supply inventory and replenishment needs for Medical Services. Maintains an adequate supply of products and collaborates with outside vendors related to recalls, outdates, back orders, and substitutes.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, staffs, and directs the administrative and technical work of the Sterile Processing Department
• Ensures appropriate departmental staffing; selects, assigns, trains, directs, and evaluates subordinate staff; takes appropriate action on disciplinary matters; verifies and monitors staff proficiency; identifies staff development needs and oversees training and education activities as required.
• Supervisor for 1.0 FTE plus contract staff (1.0 FTE). Completes and signs performance plans and appraisals, administers progressive discipline, documents performance, and provides documentation to the appointing authority to support corrective or disciplinary actions and resolve informal grievances.
• Supervises and oversees subordinate department staff in all activities that relate to the reprocessing of reusable medical supplies and instrumentation including decontamination, cleaning, assembly, wrapping, sterilization, and storage processes all within professional standards and regulations
• Supervises and oversees subordinate department staff in all activities that relate to central medical supply including but not limited to inventory management, equipment maintenance, etc.
• Ensures the sterile processing and central medical supply program/department staff training/certification / continuing education compliance with policies and procedures and guidelines/standards from pertinent regulatory agencies
• Performs regular audits and checks with regard to performance, processes, documentation, etc. to assure quality and inform performance improvement strategies
• Develops, reviews, and revises internal policies & procedures for the sterile processing and central medical supply program/department to reflect current standards, regulations, and practice
• Maintains current knowledge of guidelines/standards from pertinent regulatory agencies
• Coordinates and supervises staff to ensure proper coverage and smooth operations of sterile processing and central medical supply program/department
• Monitors department budgets and purchasing. Serves as the reviewer and signs off for purchases. Accurately reconciles all expenses by the deadline and ensures that subordinate employees do the same.
• Tracks utilization to inform department and hospital decisions
• Regularly meets with subordinate staff to stay current on department status, provide guidance/coaching, etc.
• Regularly communicates department status, issues, changes, concerns, etc. to the supervisor
• Regularly attend affiliated committee meetings to report new equipment, products, issues etc.
• Maintain an SDS book with all new chemicals and send any new SDS sheets to the Safety Department.
• Meet with the Safety Department regularly to discuss and review new chemicals and products.
• Divides the workload with the subordinate employee to maintain current knowledge across the department staff and to ensure depth of coverage (i.e. if the SPD reprocesses twice a week, the subordinate employee could reprocess once and the supervisor could reprocess once during the week.

• Serve as a resource to other departments to ensure safe and compliant reusable medical supply and instrument preparation (i.e. cleaning) and transport from the user department to the SPD (sterile processing department)
• Monitor and ensure the maintenance and proper operation of equipment related to sterile processing
• Monitor and maintain accurate and current records of criteria identified by pertinent regulatory agencies (i.e. AAMI, AORN, Joint Commission, OSHA, etc.) to ensure compliance
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory guidelines and standards for infection control.

• Provide coverage for central medical supply duties when the primary subordinate staff member is unavailable to include but not limited to:
• Perform tasks related to supply-related needs such as but not limited to purchasing, receiving, readying, inventory, rotation, and distribution
• Coordinate equipment-related needs such as but not limited to cleaning, maintenance, monitoring, calibration, repairs, etc.
• Be responsive to product requests and provide guidance for requests and purchases
• Accurately and efficiently fill and deliver orders
• Ensure an accurate inventory of supplies
• Monitor expiration dates, ensure only in-date items are stocked, and develop a communication plan to inform customers of expiring supplies.
• Maintain Code Blue resupply inventory (Code Blue is the hospital’s name for the medical emergency process)
• Supervise and coordinate the environmental needs as but not limited to access, cleaning, maintenance, monitoring, and repairs

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) from IAHCSMM
• CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) from CBSPD
• CHL (Certified Healthcare Leader) from IAHCSMM
• CSPM (Certified in Sterile Processing Management) from CBSPD

• 
  Preferred Qualifications:
• Five (5) years of sterile processing experience
• Five (5) years of medical materials handling experience
• Five (5) years of leadership and department management experience including
  supervision of subordinate employees
• Knowledge and application of regulatory guidelines and standards of practice as it
  relates to AAMI, AORN, Joint Commission, OSHA, and other pertinent regulatory
  agencies
• Experience with successful re-accreditation surveys
• After-hours availability for emergencies.
• Master’s degree or higher in a related field of study (i.e. Nursing, Biology, etc.)
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to think critically
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills
• Ability to keep sensitive information confidential

• Full Background: CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), CAPS.
• Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials – Exposure to bodily fluids and potentially infectious material / blood-borne pathogens, toxic or caustic chemicals
• May work weekends or alternate shifts/schedules
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or, resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

• Appeal Rights:
  If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
  An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.
  For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

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