Sterile Processing OR Liaison

Reporting to the Director of Operations and within established hospital and departmental policies, the Sterile Processing OR Liaison is responsible for ensuring the final coordination of all outstanding product deliveries to the Operating Rooms, including vendor supplied instrument sets. The Service Line Supervisor acts as a central point of contact for Operating Rooms when challenges occur before, during, and after procedure completion. The Service Line Supervisor is responsible for resolving issues efficiently supporting the continued availability of instruments for patient use. The Service Line Supervisor develops and maintains working relationships with Sterile Processing, Materials Management, and Nursing Team Leaders to facilitate cross functional support teams.

• Provides operational support to the Peri-Operative Nursing Team Leader of assigned Service Specialty; serves as the central point of contact between nursing and Sterile Processing and Supply ensuring that timely information transfer between SPS and OR is maintained.
  
  
  
  • Works closely with SPD Clinical Operations, OR Nursing Team Leaders, and Nursing Staff to evaluate daily unmet instrument and supply needs, sourcing alternate product or sterilization method when appropriate.
  • Coordinates reprocessing plan with SPD Clinical Operations Supervisors, alerting them as surgical timelines shift.
  • Interprets daily needs list and shares reprocessing plan with appropriate nursing resources to minimize confusion and foster team building.
  • Anticipates sterile instrument shortages by continually monitoring the OR Schedule for changes, proactively alerts Nursing and SPD Operations if product will be unavailable at scheduled time of use.
  • Participates in Service Line Update Meetings; responsible for collecting and compiling documentation on incidents, providing project status updates, identifying opportunities for improvement in existing workflows, and other topics relevant to improving the Service Line.
  • Responds to room for all concerns related to sterile instrument set quality or instrument set availability; escalates critical events as needed to SPD Leadership for intervention
  • Compiles listing of all quality events encountered including supporting documentation required for additional follow-up, provides this to SPD Manager daily.
  • Collaborating with SPD Clinical Operations team, alerts Nursing Team Leader of instrument sets out of service due to repairs or missing instruments; notifies Team Leader when set is returned to service.
  • Coordinates delivery of loaner items with Nursing Team Leader, SPS Clinical Operations, Inventory Coordinators, and Outside Sales Representatives to ensure availability of sterile instruments at time of need.
  • Demonstrates support for Support Service team when assigned to various projects.
  • Sterile item delivery, material management and other support functions.
    
    
    
    • Periodically and as requested, inspects sterile goods (single use and reusable) for expiration dates and package integrity to ensure sterility.
    • Provides direction to Service Line Resource Technician as related to sterile item requests and delivery timelines. Effectively utilizes this resource efficiently to minimize travel time.
    • Receives items from Service Line Resource Technician and coordinates delivery to destination.
    • Performs daily checks of service specific trauma carts; coordinates and facilities their restock as needed.
    • Responsible for operating IUSS Sterilizers when clinically acceptable; facilitates the delivery of packaged sterile goods when available.
    • Responsible for maintaining a thorough understanding of hospital-based computer applications relevant to the position including but not limited to: PeopleSoft, EPIC, SPM, Microsoft Outlook.
    • Assists with inventories as needed and initiates in-house or outside orders in accordance with established par levels, whenever needed.
    • Demonstrates knowledge of inventory control practices through stock rotation and removal of expired items from inventory.
    • Participates in project planning and implementation by recommending inventory modifications which align with OR utilization.
    • Supports and supplements the case pick process as operationally necessary or as directed by leadership.
    • Responsible for maintaining par levels of instruments and supplies of assigned service
    • As directed by leadership the service line coordinator is responsible for packaging instruments for assigned service
    
    
    
    
  • Performs all duties in accordance with departmental, organizational, and national standards.
    
    
    
    • Demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in all functions and tasks of the Central Processing Department.
    • Demonstrates knowledge and proficiency of Operating Room etiquette.
    
    
    
    
  • Demonstrates considerable written and verbal communication skills in English as an essential function of the job.
    
    
    
    • Communicates effectively; verbal and written in English.
    • Accepts and transmits messages effectively in English.
    • Practices and promotes telephone etiquette as an essential job function.
    • Participates in the development of department in-services as appropriate.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

• High School Diploma/GED
• CRCST or CSPDT Certification Required
• 3-year experience in OR/Sterile Processing/Materials environment Required
• Experience as a Lead SPD Tech, Scrub Tech, or prior leadership experience preferred

Skills/Abilities/Competencies Required

• Excellent Interpersonal Skills
• Must have basic computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office and similar programs.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt to unforeseen circumstances
• Problem Solving Skills

Working Conditions

• Involves large amounts of time walking and standing.
• Involves large amount of time spent breaking down pallets and moving contents on rolling carts.
• Exposure to the Operating Room environment is a requirement.
• A strict dress code and professional appearing including wearing surgical scrubs is required.
• Must be able to frequently lift up to 35 lbs. stoop, bend, pull, and place and retrieve material.

Supervisory Responsibility

Indirect: Position will indirectly guide and mentor 1 - 3 Service Line Resource Tech