Sterile Processing Department Supervisor in Waterbury, Connecticut at Waterbury Hospital

Position Summary:

The SPD Supervisor is responsible for the daily operations, workflow coordination, and staff supervision of the Sterile Processing Department. This role ensures the decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical devices meet all regulatory, safety, and quality standards.

The supervisor supports patient safety, infection prevention, and operational efficiency by maintaining compliance with Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and The Joint Commission standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily SPD operations including decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and case cart preparation
• Ensure timely instrument turnaround to support surgical schedules and reduce delays
• Coordinate workflow to align with OR volume, add-ons, and emergent cases
• Supervise staffing assignments and productivity to meet department needs

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise SPD technicians and leads
• Conduct orientation, training, competency validation, and annual evaluations
• Provide coaching, performance management, and corrective action when needed
• Support certification attainment (CRCST, CIS, CER)

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure adherence to AAMI ST79 and infection prevention standards
• Monitor sterilization processes including biological indicators, chemical indicators, and load documentation
• Maintain readiness for surveys (TJC, DPH, CMS)
• Lead quality audits, tracers, and process improvement initiatives

Equipment & Instrument Management

• Oversee instrument tracking systems and tray standardization
• Ensure proper maintenance and functionality of washers, sterilizers, and ultrasound equipment
• Collaborate with vendors and biomed for repairs and preventative maintenance
• Support capital equipment planning and replacement

Infection prevention & Patient Safety

• Ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices
• Monitor compliance with PPE and infection control protocols
• Investigate and respond to sterilization breaches or process failures
• Collaborate with Infection Prevention and Quality teams

Inventory & Supply Chain

• Manage instrument inventory levels and par levels
• Coordinate with OR, Material Management, and vendors
• Support case readiness and minimize missing instruments
• Assist with consignment and loaner instrumentation process

Communication & Collaboration

• Serve as liaison between SPD and OR leadership
• Participate in perioperative huddles and performance meetings
• Communicate delays, equipment issues and workflow impacts proactively

Qualifications:

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred (Healthcare, Business, or related field)

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of sterile processing experience
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred
• Experience in acute care hospital or high-volume surgical setting required

Certification (Required/Preferred)

• CRCST – required
• CHL - preferred
• CIS/CER – preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of sterilization standards and instrumentation
• Leadership, team development, and conflict resolution skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage high-volume, fast paced environment
• Proficiency with instrument tracking system (e.g., SPM)

Work Environment

• Hospital-based sterile processing department
• Exposure to biohazards, chemicals, and high-temperature sterilization equipment
• Requires standing, lifting, and manual dexterity