Manager Sterile Processing Department

Summary:

The Manager of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) is responsible for the daily operations staff supervision regulatory compliance and performance improvement within the SPD. This position supports both inpatient and outpatient surgical services by ensuring accurate efficient and timely processing sterilization and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment. The Manager works closely under the direction of the Director of the Operating Room Endoscopy and Sterile Processing Services to ensure alignment with the hospital*s strategic goals and quality standards.

Responsibilities:

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization*s values of Compassion Accountability Respect and Excellence as these guide our everyday actions with patients customers and one another.

Operational Oversight & Leadership

Directs daily SPD operations to ensure timely processing and availability of surgical instruments case carts and sterile supplies to meet the needs of all surgical procedures.

Coordinates with perioperative teams to anticipate instrumentation needs reduce delays and ensure readiness for complex surgical procedures including trauma cases.

Leads and manages SPD staff including hiring onboarding assigning work performance evaluations disciplinary actions and professional development.

Ensure routine maintenance and function checks on all SPD equipment (e.g. washer-disinfectors sterilizers cart washers) and educate staff on safe use and troubleshooting.

Maintains staffing flexibility based on surgical volume and adjusts labor resources accordingly.

Tactical Planning & Fiscal Stewardship

Develops short- and long-term departmental goals that align with hospital-wide and perioperative strategic initiatives.

Prepares and manages SPD*s operational and capital budgets including supplies labor and equipment; monitors budget variances and provides monthly variance reports.

Identifies and implements cost-saving initiatives while maintaining quality and service standards.

Staff Education & Competency

Leads departmental educational programs ensuring staff are trained and competent in all aspects of sterile processing including aseptic technique sterilization methods instrument identification and tray assembly.

Acts as a role model for professional conduct regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Manage training programs in partnership with outside educational entities to maintain a pipeline of talent within the department.

Maintains staff competency documentation in accordance with regulatory standards and hospital policies.

Quality Improvement & Regulatory Compliance

Monitors departmental KPIs related to case cart accuracy instrument turnaround time sterilization cycle compliance and staff productivity; proactively intervenes with corrective actions and process improvements to address variances and drive continuous improvement.

Apply principles of High Reliability Organizations (HRO) including a preoccupation with failure deference to expertise and a commitment to resilience to ensure safe and reliable sterile processing operations.

Fosters a just culture of safety by encouraging reporting learning from near misses and using data to drive accountability and system improvements without assigning individual blame.

Ensures compliance with all applicable standards and regulations including those from AAMI AORN OSHA The Joint Commission CDC and CMS.

Conducts regular audits and participate root cause analyses and risk assessments to identify and mitigate issues.

Supports system readiness for regulatory surveys and internal audits by maintaining documentation staff readiness and compliance protocols.

Collaboration & System Approach

Collaborates closely with the OR teams Supply Chain Clinical Engineering and Infection Control to ensure efficient workflows and mutual accountability.

Supports system wide initiatives to standardize SPD workflows technology use and best practices across the system.

Actively contributes to cross-functional teams and participates in systemwide performance improvement initiatives Lean projects and interdisciplinary committees.

Collaborate with and develop positive relationships with the union.

Technology & Informatics

Oversee the use of instrument tracking systems and supports the integration of new technologies to improve accuracy efficiency and data visibility.

Educates staff on the use of informatics tools and data entry accuracy; collaborates with perioperative leadership to evaluate and enhance system functionality.

Customer Service & Communication

Serves as the primary contact for resolving instrumentation equipment or cart issues.

Maintains strong communication with internal customers to understand and respond to surgical and clinical needs.

Prepare well-organized reports updates and documentation as needed for leadership and department use.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Other information:

EDUCATION:

Associate or bachelor*s degree in healthcare or a related field preferred.

CRCST required; CIS CER CHL or similar certifications strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 5 -10 years of progressively responsible SPD experience with at least 5 years in a supervisory or leadership role in a perioperative or hospital setting.

Strong interpersonal leadership and organizational skills. Must be knowledgeable in sterile processing best practices regulatory compliance and budget management.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Hospital-based setting in perioperative and sterile processing areas.

May require occasional evening night weekend or on-call availability depending on surgical volume.

Frequent standing walking and lifting of instruments and equipment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises up to 40 FTEs

Brown University Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status. Brown University Health is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital USA:RI:Providence

Work Type: Full Time

Shift: Shift 1

Union: Non-Union