Sterile Processing Manager/Educator at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland, Oregon

Sterile Processing Manager/Educator

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-38458
Position Category: Management/Supervisory
Job Type: Unclassified Administrative
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Central Sterile Processing Department
Posting Salary Range: $77,168.00 - $123,282.00 per year with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday
Posting Hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm
HR Mission: Healthcare
Drug Testable: Yes
LinkedIn Job Code: #LI-EC1

Department Overview

The Sterile Processing Manager/Educator is a content expert for a Central Sterile Processing Department (CSPD) Education & Training Program. He/she is responsible for the development of training and education of Sterile Processing staff and provides leadership in the integration of new knowledge and innovation within the CSPD. He/she facilitates excellence through the implementation of evidence-based standards of ANSI/AAMI ST79. The Educator develops and conducts continuing education programs that enable staff to acquire, enhance, and maintain the knowledge, rationale, certification and competency of skills necessary to support operational and organizational goals.

The Educator is responsible for the training, competency and compliance of staff from ambulatory clinics and other departments with regards to the care, handling, transportation, and storage of processed items from CSPD. Possesses breadth and depth of knowledge in the field and has demonstrated high-performance in a sterile processing setting. Functions as a clinical resource, facilitates daily operation of the department, coordinates and oversees training on all shifts, organizes and conducts educational in-services for staff, acts as a consultant, role model, staff/patient advocate, change agent, leader and cost effective professional. Collaborates with Infection Prevention and Control to educate OHSU clinical staff in proper instrument handling and transport. Acts as the resource, facilitator, Represents the department in interdisciplinary process improvement projects including Kaizen events. Partners with CSPD leadership team, clinic and department managers, specialty practice leaders and service leaders of Perioperative Services, and the instrument resource team to ensure compliance with administrative and clinical policies and procedures.

The Educator adheres to regulatory standards, bargaining unit agreements, hospital and clinical standards of performance, and human resource management. Implements quality and safety initiatives and hospital and clinical standards of performance. Promotes a working environment that supports a safe, knowledgeable, productive, and engaged staff.

Function/Duties of Position

Training and Education

• Introduces new employees to Sterile Processing operations.
• Trains or facilitate the training staff in every aspect of department operations: decontamination, instrument preparation and packaging, processing of vendor/loaner instrumentation and implants, sterilization, and flexible endoscope reprocessing.
• Ensures new staff members demonstrate appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge relative to their position. Documents training progress in employee files.
• Coordinates staff trainers across shifts to ensure thoroughness and uniformity of training, consistency of information delivery and compliance with department policies and procedures.
• Conducts or facilitates staff educational in-services and composes informational emails or policy/procedural updates as needed.
• Maintains staff orientation/training and competency documents.

Strategic Planning and Process Improvement:

• Partners with management to develop a departmental training schedule that accommodates current workloads and ensures timely training of staff.
• Identifies staff deficiencies of knowledge or non-compliance with established policies and protocols. Coordinates with managers, instrument resource, and staff trainers to educate and correct individual or group practice.
• Identifies departmental deficiencies and coordinates with managers, instrument resource, and staff trainers to alter or improve workflow.
• Assists managers in identifying staff members for special assignments or promotions.
• Assists managers in writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assists with communicating, implementing, and evaluating the department vision for professionalism and process improvement.
• Participates in process improvement projects across sites

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Five years of work experience in sterile processing and 2 years related experience in leadership and teaching.
• Certification as Sterile Processing Technician through HSPA or CBSPD.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Strong communications skills, teamwork (demonstrated ability to coordinate team and integrate existing team). Experience in complex organization environments.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple conflicting priorities.
• Proficient with word processing, computational spreadsheet (e.g., Excel), and presentation software.
• Demonstrated ability to accomplished goals, objectives, and project in related to field.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field.
• Other certifications such as Instrument Specialist, Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing, or Healthcare Leadership through HSPA or CBSPD.

Additional Details

• Requires prioritization of multiple projects, activities, and assignments.

• Frequent interruptions in an environment of frequent change and fluctuations.

• May be exposed to excessive auditory and visual stimulation.

• May be required to attend out of town conferences according to hospital travel and reimbursement

  policies.

• Subject to computer work for several hours as needed

• Exercises the ability to implement a flexible work schedule to meet the unit needs and to create a work-

  life balance.