Job Description

At Houston Methodist, the Sterile Processing Liaison position is responsible for providing direct service line specific support to a specific service line specialty (i.e., Neuro, Plastics, and General, etc.) within the OR Suite. This position is responsible for reviewing weekly and daily OR schedules as well as instrument reports from the current electronic instrument tracking system to determine and forecast the needs of the specific service line up to and including determining instrument need and tray conflicts and setting assembly priority. The SP Liaison position will review any and all conflicts with the OR Charge Nurse or Service Line Manager, performing daily rounds in the suite with frequency throughout the shift to help manage any instrument and supply issues or conflicts, as well as complete the needs list for the next day's cases. Serving as a fully functional technician in the Sterile Processing department as needed, this position must demonstrate advanced knowledge of sterilization techniques, surgical instruments, and have an in-depth understanding of the relationship between Sterile Processing and other departments within the hospital.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as the primary representative/liaison of Sterile Processing department through a collaborative working relationship with Operating Room (OR) staff to identify process improvement needs for SPD to share with management. Assumes charge responsibility in the absence of the SPD Coordinator.

• Demonstrates teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy work relationships in the work environment. Seeks guidance from interprofessional health care team, when needed, and applies feedback to improve workflow outcomes.

• Works collaboratively with the OR staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts, where applicable, based on previously identified needs, demonstrating consistency and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing. Drives recommendations for improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as the content expert by performing decontamination and assembling of complex surgical trays, individual and potentially customized instrumentation and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Consistently wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.

• Performs, documents, and maintains all immediate use steam sterilization cycles ran within the OR suite.

• Monitors, reads, documents, and interprets all parameters for all types of sterilizers to ensure proper function, i.e., Steam, ETO and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implements effective workflow with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs and uses a structured format for regular communication with staff members and physicians, as appropriate.

• Ensures the effectiveness of the sterilization process by using internal, external and biological monitoring systems appropriately utilizing established department protocols and sterilizer manufacturers' instructions for use.

• Utilizes appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and MSDS sheets. Utilizes all department equipment according to manufacturers' instructions for use and departmental policies and protocols.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes department resources, i.e., tracking system, to ensure completeness of trays, instruments, and equipment according to count sheets. Provides a daily location point of sterilized items ready for OR use.

• Serves as primary contact for identified items needing repaired by OR staff. Communicates with instrument repair technician and/or coordinator responsible for repairs to ensure needed service in complete or in process.

• Collaborates with OR preference card team or account sheets to identify changes needed to preference cards, preventing unnecessary items from being processed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Presents areas of innovation, efficiency and improvement in patient care or unit operations using manufacturer's instructions for use (IFUs) to the Sterile Processing team, in collaboration with SPD educator, as applicable.

• Serves as the key resource for understanding and implementing the surgical equipment requirements of the applicable service line.

• Represents the OR by supplying SPD-related information to Shared Governance Committee and department management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going 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 (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of Sterile Processing experience in an acute care hospital

• Service line experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• CRCST - Certified Registered Central Service Technician (HSPA) OR
• CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CBSPD) AND
• CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist (HSPA) within 1 year OR
• CSIS - Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CBSPD) within 1 year

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Independently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Follows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination area

• Advanced knowledge of infection control, decontamination, and sterilization techniques

• Knowledge and ability to operate, troubleshoot, and train staff on all departmental equipment including, but no limited to, sterilizers, washers, ultrasonic washers, and cart washers

• Proficiency in utilization of basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking system, if applicable

• Displays ability to manage time by completing assigned work and cleaning workstation at the end of each shift as a fully competent SPD Tech

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of sterilization techniques, surgical instruments. Completes departmental and institutional competencies within established required timelines

• Reads the OR Schedule proficiently

• Able to work independently, self-guided and motivated

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower — a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women’s services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

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