High level Disinfection/Sterile processing Specialist

Job Details

Job Description

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

Worker Sub Type

Primary Location Address

Nationally ranked, 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. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

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.