Director Adult Central Sterile Processing

General Description:

The Enterprise Director, Sterile Processing is responsible for the direction and leadership of operational, financial, programmatic and employee related activities for system sterile processing. This includes establishing, meeting and continuously monitoring the goals and objectives while maintaining alignment with the strategic goals and objectives for OU Health. This position provides leadership and guidance to facility sterile processing managers and has accountability for the performance and results of system-wide sterile processing.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Interprets impact of broad scope organizational change for staff and develops change strategies for successful implementation.
• Incorporates OU Health vision, mission and values in goals and programs within Central Sterile.
• Develops and manages operational initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Formulates objectives, goals, and strategies collaboratively with other stakeholders.
• Prepares and delivers reports to operational leadership outlining progress toward meeting annual goals and objectives, to include performance related to finance, clinical activity, quality, safety, marketing, and human resources

Major Job Responsibilities

Leadership and Operational Management

• Reporting to the VP for Perioperative Operations, the Enterprise Director, Sterile Processing will have direct oversight of sterile processing operations at OUH (including downtown and Edmond sites), OUH Surgery Center, clinic sterilization and high level disinfection (HLD) processes across the organization.
• Provides leadership by developing and implementing integrated operational programs, structures, policies, and procedures that together assure achievement of department and organizational goals.
• Guides and directs development of operational plans for areas in complement to the OU Health strategic plan and those strategies for sterile processing and the Central Sterile department.
• Establishes annual financial goals and actively uses benchmarking to high performing systems in similar area of expertise to set annual targets.
• Monitors and analyzes financial data and utilizes for decisions regarding FTE’s, staffing and operational budget.
• Establishes an annual operating and capital budget, demonstrating fiscal responsibility through meeting budget targets.
• Establishes and implements function-based strategies with direct impact to the services provided and organization.
• Creates and presents business plan(s), justifying variances and analyzing cost benefit of programs.
• Percent of time: 40%
• Competencies: strategy, collaboration, regulatory knowledge, communication, fiscal acumen, budget articulation, system-thinking clinical effectiveness and accountability

• Leads with managers to effectively allocate resources based on patient volume, space availability, budget constraints, and program priorities, goals, and objectives.
• With the management team, develops and implements clinical outcome measures for quality improvement, cost and complication reduction, and the implementation of evidence-based medicine.
• Develops and implements innovative systems and processes that improve staff and patient quality and safety.
• Demonstrates achievable and measurable results and develop action plans for improvement.
• Engages leadership, staff and other stakeholders in continuous improvement of systems and processes; manages resources for staff participation in improvement work activities.
• Ensures effective facilitation of improvement teams and development of leadership skills to ensure overall effectiveness of the meetings.
• Continually assesses sterile processing outcomes, services, identifies problems, utilizes data to analyze and propose innovative approaches for solutions.
• Incorporates the use of evidence-based practice and appreciative enquiry into program development and improvement activities.
• Holds self and others accountable to policy, standards and commitments and provides timely follow through on questions and concerns.
• Manages the complex interdepartmental and interdisciplinary relationships to assure collaboration and effective/efficient operations within Central Sterile.
• Assesses manager and staff development needs, identifies goals and provides resources.
• Identifies lack of competency in performance and establishes a plan which includes goals, interventions, and measures.
• Percent of time: 25%
• Competencies: strategy, accountability, emotional intelligence, evidence-based practice, fiscal acumen, value-based care, system-thinking

Communication

• Actively listens across Central Sterile and OUH for ideas and concerns, assesses others communication styles and adapts to them.
• Creates bi-directional systems that effectively communicate information and data, utilizing multiple methods.
• Effectively facilitates meetings at the local (Central Sterile) level and organizational level.
• Communicates opinions and ideas in a nonthreatening and nonjudgmental manner to staff, peers, and others.
• Communicates with physicians, academic department leaders, and senior administrators to maintain coordination with other OUH programs.
• Demonstrates empathy and concern while ensuring the goals for sterile processing are met.
• Percent of time: 10%
• Competencies: leadership, emotional intelligence, decision-making

Regulatory Compliance

• Works collaboratively with colleagues, Infection Prevention, Accreditation, Compliance, and the Perioperative Governance to ensure the quality, compliance and safety of sterile instruments and scopes is maintained.
• Responsible for consistency in meeting compliance standards, enforcement of fiscal, personnel and facilities practices, University regulations, external agencies including governmental as well as national oversight groups.
• Adheres and holds team accountable to sterile processing standards.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the faculty and staff in matters related to understanding of overall OUH goals as well as the objectives of compliance and individual roles and responsibilities in this regard.
• Understands and is accountable for all standards relative to licensure and certification of patient care entities and programs.
• Percent of time: 10%
• Competencies: Knowledge of governing policies, regulatory agencies, decision-making, familiarity with federal, state and local regulations

Resource Leadership

• Creates and maintains a satisfying workplace that fosters professional growth and job satisfaction for all members of the healthcare team.
• Interviews to select top talent, matching Central Sterile’ s needs with appropriate skill sets.
• Develops and implements recruitment and retention strategies that support a culture of leadership.
• Identifies and addresses own professional growth needs.
• Maintains membership in professional organization(s) to develop knowledge and resources through networking, continuing education, and participation in national, regional, and/or local activities.
• Ensures integration of ethical standards and core values into everyday work activities.
• Creates an environment that encourages diverse opinion, recognizes differences and incorporates into process and services.
• Organizes and prioritizes time and resources to manage efficiency. Appropriately delegates.
• Percent of time: 10%
• Competencies: recruitment, leadership

Professional Development

• Champions, models and promotes service excellence philosophies, OU Health Way principles and behaviors to enhance the overall patient experience. Demonstrate active membership and service in local, state and/or national organizations.
• Remains current of latest trends and best practices and incorporates into Sterile Processing practices and programs.
• Creates a culture and systems for recognizing and rewarding staff.
• Articulates and enforces standards for quality/safe patient care.
• Initiates, monitors, and enforces regulatory requirements.
• Exhibits awareness of personal attitudes and beliefs, recognizing its effect on response to others.
• Leads and/or serves on a variety of appropriate internal and external committees to represent the Central Sterile Department
• Provides opportunities to aspiring clinicians and leaders to develop skills to meet career goals.
• Contributes to a learning environment by providing educational and research experiences to students, residents, fellows, and faculty.
• Percent of time: 5%
• Competencies: professional development, collaboration

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) required.

Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in management of a Sterile Processing Department that supports a large (annual case volume of 15,000 or greater) operating room environment.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Technician certification from either the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) required. Advanced certifications (CHL, CIS) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of maintenance and sterilization of medical supplies and equipment.
• Knowledge of applicable sanitation and hygiene standards.
• Knowledge of proper safety practices of steam and gas plasma sterilization.
• Knowledge of simple record keeping principles and practices. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Effective customer service skills.
• Able to read, spell and do simple math.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong leadership and management skills.