Jefferson
High level Disinfection/Sterile processing Specialist
Jefferson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19102
Enterprise Disinfection Sterile Processing Specialist
The High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization (HLD/ST) Specialist ensures compliance, education, and adherence to HLD and sterilization protocols, focusing on infection prevention and control. This role employs quality and performance improvement strategies to enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The specialist identifies, prioritizes, and escalates concerns related to patient and institutional safety, as well as regulatory compliance, to the HLD and Sterilization leaders. Additionally, the Specialist supports education, quality assurance, and process improvements for the HLD/Sterilization Program across the Jefferson enterprise. Collaborating with department leaders, the Specialist provides guidance and best practices to ensure compliance with regulations from local, national, and federal agencies and organizations (including AAMI, SGNA, AORN, CMS, TJC, FDA). Essential Functions
Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson. Works collaboratively with the HLD/ST department leaders and the IP directors. Serves as a resource to the departments performing HLD/ST duties, and all ancillary departments who perform decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization when necessary. Participates in joint activities as directed by leadership. Identify opportunities for standardization and optimization of HLD and sterilization processes across the Jefferson locations. Assist operational departments with defining the scope of projects and educational opportunities, select appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness and ensure sustainability of PI initiatives. Participate in departmental and institutional PI committees, teams and initiatives as assigned. Helps with troubleshooting issues and concerns; offering resources and solutions. Communicates updates and ensures compliance with any new or updated recommendations and regulations. Assesses HLD/ST reprocessing procedures and works with reprocessing team leaders to ensure items requiring HLD/ST are handled, cleaned, and prepared with proper care and competency. Understands and maintains current knowledge of the AAMI, OSHA, FDA, TJC, and CMS regulations and standards and how these impact the HLD/ST programs across the enterprise. Communicates with the VP, Infection Prevention Director and the System ACNO Perioperative Shared Service Leader. Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required)
Experience in sterile processing and high level disinfection. Is self-directed, has excellent analytical and written communication skills. Is able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and multitask. Is proficient in time management and skilled in the development of presentations and displaying data in the most meaningful manner for end users. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Baccalaureate degree AND Experience: 5 years experience with sterile processing, HLD Experience with Infection Prevention --optional Minimum Certifications, Registration or License Requirements
CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) required Certified Endoscope Reprocessor, (CER), Required or obtained within 18 months of hire CIS (Certified Instrument Specialist) or CSIS (Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist) preferred or obtained within 18 months of hire Certified Healthcare Leadership, (CHL), Preferred Work Shift
Workday Day (United States of America) Worker Sub Type
Regular Primary Location Address
1101 Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. At Jefferson, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support the health and well-being of our colleagues and their families. It includes a wide range of benefits including competitive pay, health and retirement benefits, life and disability insurance, paid time off, educational benefits, financial and mental health resources and much more. Our diverse benefits offerings ensure you have the coverage and access to services you need to thrive both personally and professionally.
The High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization (HLD/ST) Specialist ensures compliance, education, and adherence to HLD and sterilization protocols, focusing on infection prevention and control. This role employs quality and performance improvement strategies to enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The specialist identifies, prioritizes, and escalates concerns related to patient and institutional safety, as well as regulatory compliance, to the HLD and Sterilization leaders. Additionally, the Specialist supports education, quality assurance, and process improvements for the HLD/Sterilization Program across the Jefferson enterprise. Collaborating with department leaders, the Specialist provides guidance and best practices to ensure compliance with regulations from local, national, and federal agencies and organizations (including AAMI, SGNA, AORN, CMS, TJC, FDA). Essential Functions
Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson. Works collaboratively with the HLD/ST department leaders and the IP directors. Serves as a resource to the departments performing HLD/ST duties, and all ancillary departments who perform decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization when necessary. Participates in joint activities as directed by leadership. Identify opportunities for standardization and optimization of HLD and sterilization processes across the Jefferson locations. Assist operational departments with defining the scope of projects and educational opportunities, select appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness and ensure sustainability of PI initiatives. Participate in departmental and institutional PI committees, teams and initiatives as assigned. Helps with troubleshooting issues and concerns; offering resources and solutions. Communicates updates and ensures compliance with any new or updated recommendations and regulations. Assesses HLD/ST reprocessing procedures and works with reprocessing team leaders to ensure items requiring HLD/ST are handled, cleaned, and prepared with proper care and competency. Understands and maintains current knowledge of the AAMI, OSHA, FDA, TJC, and CMS regulations and standards and how these impact the HLD/ST programs across the enterprise. Communicates with the VP, Infection Prevention Director and the System ACNO Perioperative Shared Service Leader. Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required)
Experience in sterile processing and high level disinfection. Is self-directed, has excellent analytical and written communication skills. Is able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and multitask. Is proficient in time management and skilled in the development of presentations and displaying data in the most meaningful manner for end users. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Baccalaureate degree AND Experience: 5 years experience with sterile processing, HLD Experience with Infection Prevention --optional Minimum Certifications, Registration or License Requirements
CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) required Certified Endoscope Reprocessor, (CER), Required or obtained within 18 months of hire CIS (Certified Instrument Specialist) or CSIS (Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist) preferred or obtained within 18 months of hire Certified Healthcare Leadership, (CHL), Preferred Work Shift
Workday Day (United States of America) Worker Sub Type
Regular Primary Location Address
1101 Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. At Jefferson, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support the health and well-being of our colleagues and their families. It includes a wide range of benefits including competitive pay, health and retirement benefits, life and disability insurance, paid time off, educational benefits, financial and mental health resources and much more. Our diverse benefits offerings ensure you have the coverage and access to services you need to thrive both personally and professionally.