Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
System Sterile Processing Department Coordinator
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), Lexington, Kentucky, us, 40598
Overview
The System Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Coordinator is responsible for supporting and coordinating sterile processing operations across the multi-hospital Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) system to ensure safe, efficient, and standardized instrument reprocessing practices for the perioperative setting. This role provides system-wide leadership and oversight, working under the direction of the General Surgery Service Line Director to promote best practices, enhance quality, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation standards. The System SPD Coordinator facilitates compliance with infection prevention requirements, assists with staff education and competency validation, and serves as a liaison between sterile processing, surgical services, and other clinical departments. This position plays a key role in ensuring consistency and standardization in workflows, equipment maintenance, quality monitoring, and policy adherence across all sites. In addition, the SPD Coordinator participates in the development and implementation of standardized initiatives across ARH, leads change efforts to improve sterile processing and central sterile staff practices, and promotes professional development. This role fosters a positive image of the SPD, maintaining strong relationships with internal and external customers, and requires regular travel to ARH facilities to work directly with the system director of surgical quality assurance, service line director(s), operating room leaders, surgeons, SPD supervisors, frontline team members, and others as needed.
Responsibilities
System-Level Leadership & Coordination: Serve as the central point of contact for sterile processing services across all facilities.
Coordinate with SPD managers and perioperative leadership to standardize workflows, processes, and policies.
Lead system-wide initiatives to improve instrument availability, turnaround times, and quality metrics.
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure that policies, procedures, and practices comply with the standards established by all regulatory agencies.
Develop and maintain policies and procedures taking into account particular equipment and responsibilities unique to each facility.
Conduct regular audits of SPD practices across all facilities and provide action plans for compliance gaps.
Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements, reprocessing standards, emerging best practices, techniques, instrumentation, new technology, and equipment relevant to sterile processing through participation in professional organizations and attendance at relevant continuing education programs and conferences.
Quality Improvement & Performance Management: Develop, track, and analyze system-level key performance indicators (KPIs) for SPD operations.
Facilitate root cause analysis for quality and safety events related to instrument processing and implement corrective actions.
Partner with infection prevention and surgical services to reduce surgical site infection risk through optimal sterile processing practices.
Training & Education: Develop and deliver standardized training and competency validation programs for SPD staff across all facilities.
Support onboarding and continuing education for SPD leaders and technicians.
Promote certification (CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL) and professional development for SPD team members.
Collaborate with system perioperative educator to develop and implement initiatives as needed.
Assist in the implementation of new technologies used in the reprocessing area and new instrumentation used for procedures.
Inventory & Resource Optimization: Collaborate with supply chain and surgical services to standardize instrument sets and optimize inventory levels.
Establish and update standards of supplies, chemicals and materials, including sterile preparation, autoclaving, and operating room materials; prepare and submit requisitions for non-inventory and inventory items; maintain stock at established levels; identify items to be stored and withdrawn; maintain a list of unique items.
Participate in system-wide capital planning for SPD equipment replacement and technology upgrades.
Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining quality and patient safety.
Collaboration & Communication: Foster a culture of teamwork and open communication across SPD teams and perioperative partners.
Serve as a liaison between hospital SPD departments, perioperative leadership, and system administration.
Facilitate regular system-wide SPD meetings and workgroups as needed.
Other
Maintains flexibility when managing multiple roles/responsibilities.
Interprets and communicates across multiple disciplines.
Promotes a safe and healthy work environment.
Serves as a role model to promote education, professionalism, excellence, and safety.
Act as a clinical resource/subject matter expert using evidence-based standards and professional guidelines.
Collaborate with other members of the health care team as required.
Mentor team members as required.
Pursue professional growth and participate in a professional organization(s).
Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications Education/Licensure/Certification
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and/or progressively responsible sterile processing or perioperative services experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Professional Certification: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification preferred at time of hire; required to obtain 12 months if not certified on hire.
Minimum Work Experience
Five (5) years of experience in perioperative setting including central sterile/sterile processing department. Leadership experience preferred.
Required Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities
Strong understanding of rural Appalachian culture
Broad knowledge of sterile processing including current trends, safety precaution policies, equipment, electronic healthcare records
EHR management software, accrediting agency standards, and local/state/federal regulations
Working understanding of adult teaching/learning theories and program assessment, program design, promotion and marketing implementation and evaluation processes
Attention to detail with time management and organization skills with the ability to work with a high degree of initiative and independence
Solid written and public speaking skills, including the ability to clearly and professionally explain medical, technical, or sensitive information to diverse audiences
Experience presenting educational programs preferred
Intermediate knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, SharePoint, Adobe Captivate, electronic medical record systems, and willingness to learn new programs
Ability to work independently and as part of a team with strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Prioritize and delegate assignments under varied and urgent conditions within standardized procedures
Identify and solve problems based on information analysis and provide new perspectives
Ensure the privacy of each patient’s PHI
Develop collaborative relationships with internal and external groups to coordinate educational needs and ensure compliance
Seniority level Mid-Senior level
Employment type Full-time
Job function Health Care Provider Industries: Hospitals and Health Care
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Responsibilities
System-Level Leadership & Coordination: Serve as the central point of contact for sterile processing services across all facilities.
Coordinate with SPD managers and perioperative leadership to standardize workflows, processes, and policies.
Lead system-wide initiatives to improve instrument availability, turnaround times, and quality metrics.
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure that policies, procedures, and practices comply with the standards established by all regulatory agencies.
Develop and maintain policies and procedures taking into account particular equipment and responsibilities unique to each facility.
Conduct regular audits of SPD practices across all facilities and provide action plans for compliance gaps.
Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements, reprocessing standards, emerging best practices, techniques, instrumentation, new technology, and equipment relevant to sterile processing through participation in professional organizations and attendance at relevant continuing education programs and conferences.
Quality Improvement & Performance Management: Develop, track, and analyze system-level key performance indicators (KPIs) for SPD operations.
Facilitate root cause analysis for quality and safety events related to instrument processing and implement corrective actions.
Partner with infection prevention and surgical services to reduce surgical site infection risk through optimal sterile processing practices.
Training & Education: Develop and deliver standardized training and competency validation programs for SPD staff across all facilities.
Support onboarding and continuing education for SPD leaders and technicians.
Promote certification (CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL) and professional development for SPD team members.
Collaborate with system perioperative educator to develop and implement initiatives as needed.
Assist in the implementation of new technologies used in the reprocessing area and new instrumentation used for procedures.
Inventory & Resource Optimization: Collaborate with supply chain and surgical services to standardize instrument sets and optimize inventory levels.
Establish and update standards of supplies, chemicals and materials, including sterile preparation, autoclaving, and operating room materials; prepare and submit requisitions for non-inventory and inventory items; maintain stock at established levels; identify items to be stored and withdrawn; maintain a list of unique items.
Participate in system-wide capital planning for SPD equipment replacement and technology upgrades.
Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining quality and patient safety.
Collaboration & Communication: Foster a culture of teamwork and open communication across SPD teams and perioperative partners.
Serve as a liaison between hospital SPD departments, perioperative leadership, and system administration.
Facilitate regular system-wide SPD meetings and workgroups as needed.
Other
Maintains flexibility when managing multiple roles/responsibilities.
Interprets and communicates across multiple disciplines.
Promotes a safe and healthy work environment.
Serves as a role model to promote education, professionalism, excellence, and safety.
Act as a clinical resource/subject matter expert using evidence-based standards and professional guidelines.
Collaborate with other members of the health care team as required.
Mentor team members as required.
Pursue professional growth and participate in a professional organization(s).
Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications Education/Licensure/Certification
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and/or progressively responsible sterile processing or perioperative services experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Professional Certification: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification preferred at time of hire; required to obtain 12 months if not certified on hire.
Minimum Work Experience
Five (5) years of experience in perioperative setting including central sterile/sterile processing department. Leadership experience preferred.
Required Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities
Strong understanding of rural Appalachian culture
Broad knowledge of sterile processing including current trends, safety precaution policies, equipment, electronic healthcare records
EHR management software, accrediting agency standards, and local/state/federal regulations
Working understanding of adult teaching/learning theories and program assessment, program design, promotion and marketing implementation and evaluation processes
Attention to detail with time management and organization skills with the ability to work with a high degree of initiative and independence
Solid written and public speaking skills, including the ability to clearly and professionally explain medical, technical, or sensitive information to diverse audiences
Experience presenting educational programs preferred
Intermediate knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, SharePoint, Adobe Captivate, electronic medical record systems, and willingness to learn new programs
Ability to work independently and as part of a team with strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Prioritize and delegate assignments under varied and urgent conditions within standardized procedures
Identify and solve problems based on information analysis and provide new perspectives
Ensure the privacy of each patient’s PHI
Develop collaborative relationships with internal and external groups to coordinate educational needs and ensure compliance
Seniority level Mid-Senior level
Employment type Full-time
Job function Health Care Provider Industries: Hospitals and Health Care
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