Houston Methodist
Sterile Processing Coordinator
At Houston Methodist, the Sterile Processing Coordinator position will oversee and coordinate the activities of the Sterile Processing department and service line, ensuring new employees are properly oriented and trained, monitoring workflow and volume, and reviewing and maintaining department supply needs. The role is responsible for the monthly schedule, daily shift assignments, staff performance evaluations, and assistance in developing the departmental budget. The Coordinator coordinates daily activities and personnel involved with decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, reprocessing, and sterilization of instrumentation and assembly of case carts. The position maintains consistent workflow between the Operating Room (OR) and Sterile Processing, and assists the Manager in meeting all regulatory requirements related to these activities.
People Essential Functions
Coordinates and assigns processing services based on the acuity level of the Technician, ensuring instruments and supplies are decontaminated and reprocessed in a timely manner.
Serves as the primary resource for staff in all areas of service performed by the department.
Facilitates teamwork with OR staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts, maintaining continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing.
Communicates actively, positively, and effectively with interprofessional health care team members, listening to and responding to ideas, coaching staff in verbal, non‑verbal, and written communication, and initiating recommendations for employee engagement improvement.
Service Essential Functions
Coordinates the daily interface between sterile processing, surgery, and materials management and other departments to ensure supplies and instruments are available as needed.
Anticipates needs by ensuring supplies or instrumentation not routinely available are obtained and ready prior to scheduled surgery cases.
Plans and monitors staffing levels to ensure appropriate staffing at all times, regulates scheduling and assignment based on department needs, and provides daily reporting to management.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Serves as the primary quality assurance resource, conducting periodic audits, reviewing and revising policies and procedures to reflect industry standards and recommended practices.
Ensures effectiveness of the sterilization process using internal, external, and biological monitoring systems, following established protocols and manufacturer instructions.
Maintains accurate tracking of all instrumentation and records sterile area environment requirements per AAMI, OSHA, and AORN guidelines.
Monitors, reads, documents, and interprets all sterilizer parameters for Steam, Ethylene Oxide (ETO), and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide systems.
Finance Essential Functions
Monitors staffing levels against budgeted targets and adjusts to meet goals, informing management to address staffing or other employee issues proactively.
Maintains shift schedule and provides input on staff performance evaluation for budget development.
Collaborates with Materials Management to identify supply needs and order non‑sterile items for processing.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Leads and identifies opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement, investigating and incorporating evidence‑based practices presented to shared governance and leadership.
Identifies staff development opportunities, provides coaching to meet goals, and assists the department educator with scheduling in‑services and preceptorships.
Maintains and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.
This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
Education
High School diploma or equivalent education (e.g., GED, homeschool equivalency, or partial/full post‑secondary completion).
Work Experience
Six years of Sterile Processing experience in an acute care hospital.
Licenses and Certifications – Required
Sterile Processing certification: CSCST or CSPDT AND
Instrument Specialist certification: CIS or CSIS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, as determined through ongoing assessments and evaluations.
Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English sufficient for safety and quality tasks.
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers with a customer‑service focus.
Advanced knowledge of infection control, decontamination, and sterilization techniques.
Knowledge and ability to operate, troubleshoot, and train staff on departmental equipment, including sterilizers, washers, ultrasonic washers, and cart washers.
Proficiency in basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking systems, if applicable.
Uses all departmental equipment according to manufacturer instructions and departmental policies and protocols.
Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries.
Completes departmental and institutional competencies within required timelines.
Maintains patient and family privacy.
Supplemental Requirements Work Attire
Uniform: Yes
Scrubs: Yes
Business professional: No
Other (department approved): No
On‑Call*
Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection above.
On Call: Yes
Travel**
Travel specifications may vary by department.
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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People Essential Functions
Coordinates and assigns processing services based on the acuity level of the Technician, ensuring instruments and supplies are decontaminated and reprocessed in a timely manner.
Serves as the primary resource for staff in all areas of service performed by the department.
Facilitates teamwork with OR staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts, maintaining continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing.
Communicates actively, positively, and effectively with interprofessional health care team members, listening to and responding to ideas, coaching staff in verbal, non‑verbal, and written communication, and initiating recommendations for employee engagement improvement.
Service Essential Functions
Coordinates the daily interface between sterile processing, surgery, and materials management and other departments to ensure supplies and instruments are available as needed.
Anticipates needs by ensuring supplies or instrumentation not routinely available are obtained and ready prior to scheduled surgery cases.
Plans and monitors staffing levels to ensure appropriate staffing at all times, regulates scheduling and assignment based on department needs, and provides daily reporting to management.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Serves as the primary quality assurance resource, conducting periodic audits, reviewing and revising policies and procedures to reflect industry standards and recommended practices.
Ensures effectiveness of the sterilization process using internal, external, and biological monitoring systems, following established protocols and manufacturer instructions.
Maintains accurate tracking of all instrumentation and records sterile area environment requirements per AAMI, OSHA, and AORN guidelines.
Monitors, reads, documents, and interprets all sterilizer parameters for Steam, Ethylene Oxide (ETO), and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide systems.
Finance Essential Functions
Monitors staffing levels against budgeted targets and adjusts to meet goals, informing management to address staffing or other employee issues proactively.
Maintains shift schedule and provides input on staff performance evaluation for budget development.
Collaborates with Materials Management to identify supply needs and order non‑sterile items for processing.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Leads and identifies opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement, investigating and incorporating evidence‑based practices presented to shared governance and leadership.
Identifies staff development opportunities, provides coaching to meet goals, and assists the department educator with scheduling in‑services and preceptorships.
Maintains and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.
This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
Education
High School diploma or equivalent education (e.g., GED, homeschool equivalency, or partial/full post‑secondary completion).
Work Experience
Six years of Sterile Processing experience in an acute care hospital.
Licenses and Certifications – Required
Sterile Processing certification: CSCST or CSPDT AND
Instrument Specialist certification: CIS or CSIS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, as determined through ongoing assessments and evaluations.
Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English sufficient for safety and quality tasks.
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers with a customer‑service focus.
Advanced knowledge of infection control, decontamination, and sterilization techniques.
Knowledge and ability to operate, troubleshoot, and train staff on departmental equipment, including sterilizers, washers, ultrasonic washers, and cart washers.
Proficiency in basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking systems, if applicable.
Uses all departmental equipment according to manufacturer instructions and departmental policies and protocols.
Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries.
Completes departmental and institutional competencies within required timelines.
Maintains patient and family privacy.
Supplemental Requirements Work Attire
Uniform: Yes
Scrubs: Yes
Business professional: No
Other (department approved): No
On‑Call*
Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection above.
On Call: Yes
Travel**
Travel specifications may vary by department.
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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