What are the responsibilities and job description for the CSS Educator position at The University of Iowa?
The CSS Educator supports the clinical education of SPD staff and other health professionals. This person uses medical device reprocessing expertise to improve health care outcomes through the application of educational resources, interventions, and informatics.
This position will function as a critical member of a growing team that seeks to align medical device reprocessing education and best practices across all current and future UI Healthcare Central Sterilizing locations (Integrated Service Center, Turn Center, Iowa River Landing, FERC, North Liberty, and Medical Center Downtown).
Schedule and location flexibility will be an expectation of this role, with primary working hours taking place during the day at the Integrated Service Center in Coralville.
- Provide a specialized level of clinical/technical service for health professions education relative to sterile processing and high‐level disinfection functions.
- Provide subject matter expertise with respect to complex surgical instrumentation and interpreting manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) for compliance with facility equipment and procedures.
- Completes observation‐based employee skill assessments for accuracy and completion.
- Performs reprocessing observations to assess training gaps and process drift. Recommends and participates in training and re‐ education solutions.
- Performs or coordinates in‐services with external company representatives in partnership with Operations leaders and Instrument Specialists.
- Collaborate with others on the health care team related to clinical/technical specifications to assure safe and effective delivery of care relative to cleaning, high level disinfection, and sterilization of instruments, equipment, and supplies.
- Effectively collaborates with HR, Admin, and Operations leadership to support new hire orientation of UI staff and agency staff. Coordinates with Operations leaders to schedule the new hire’s transition to their shift/location.
- Collaborates with department Educator(s), Admin, Operations leadership, and HR to monitor the timely and accurate completion of training and competency records.
- Collaborates with department Educator(s), Admin, Operations leadership, and Quality Specialists to regularly review and revise department competencies, training materials, SOPs, policies and procedures to remain current with evolving industry standards and best practices.
- Collaborates with department Educator(s), Instrument Specialists, Operations leadership, and Quality Specialists to review new product IFUs to determine compatibility with the department’s available equipment, processes, policies, and procedures.
- Collaborates within a team to plan effective change management to include standard communication and operationalization of new processes, techniques, and products across all CSS sites.
- Ability to meet dynamic and rapidly changing team needs with flexibility and effective communication.
- Ensure record keeping relative to staff education is compliant and current with most recent revisions.
- Completes and/or maintains documentation of training and competency.
- Current with industry regulations and standards from regulatory agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Transportation (DOT), & Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and professional associations such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), & the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA).
- Provide guidance, coaching, and counseling to staff to assure outcomes are achieved.
- Commitment to modeling professionalism.
Pay Level: 4A
Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field or equivalent education and CSS experience required.
- Must possess and maintain certification through a nationally recognized central sterilizing service training program such as HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association) or CBSPD (The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution).
- Must obtain and maintain Endoscope Reprocessing Certification from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association) within first 2 years of employment.
- A minimum of 2 years related experience working in a medical field which includes sterile processing and medical device reprocessing.
- A minimum of 2 years related experience training/precepting others that includes the documentation of training and competency.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in computer software applications such as Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Demonstration of commitment to principles of Service Excellence.
- Demonstrate experience working independently with minimal supervision.
- Excellent organization skills; detailed oriented.
- Collaborates and develops effective interpersonal relationships with nursing staff, medical staff, CSS department, interdisciplinary teams, and other hospital departments.
Desired Qualification:
- Previous knowledge/experience with university policies and procedures
Position and Application details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as required to the submission:
- Resume
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
Please contact rachel-tortora@uiowa.edu with any questions.
