Sterile Processing Manager
Modesto, CA
LanceSoft
5x8 hrs, Flexible

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Department Operations Management

• Direct and oversee daily sterile processing operations.
• Ensure timely processing and availability of surgical instruments and supplies.
• Coordinate workflow to support operating rooms, procedural areas, and patient care departments.
• Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures.

Staff Leadership and Supervision

• Recruit, train, schedule, mentor, and evaluate sterile processing personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Address staffing needs, productivity, and employee development.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with standards from organizations such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, The Joint Commission, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Monitor sterilization quality indicators, biological testing, and documentation.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and corrective action plans.
• Prepare for accreditation surveys and regulatory inspections.

Sterilization and Infection Prevention Oversight

• Ensure proper decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and storage practices.
• Monitor adherence to infection prevention and control standards.
• Investigate sterilization failures, instrument issues, and infection control concerns.
• Collaborate with infection prevention teams to reduce patient safety risks.

Inventory and Equipment Management

• Oversee instrument inventory, surgical tray standardization, and supply management.
• Manage procurement and maintenance of sterilization equipment and processing systems.
• Coordinate repairs, replacement, and preventive maintenance of instruments and equipment.
• Monitor budget expenditures and cost-control initiatives.

Collaboration and Customer Service

• Work closely with surgical services, operating room leadership, physicians, nursing staff, and vendors.
• Participate in interdisciplinary committees and process improvement projects.
• Resolve instrument availability issues and support surgical scheduling needs.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Track departmental performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Analyze productivity, turnaround times, sterilization records, and quality outcomes.
• Prepare reports for leadership regarding operational performance and compliance.

Resume-Friendly Description

Sterile Processing Manager

• Directed daily operations of the Sterile Processing Department, ensuring efficient decontamination, sterilization, assembly, and distribution of surgical instruments.
• Supervised, trained, and evaluated sterile processing staff while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
• Ensured compliance with AAMI, AORN, Joint Commission, and infection prevention requirements.
• Managed departmental budgets, inventory control, equipment maintenance, and vendor relationships.
• Led quality assurance programs, regulatory readiness activities, and process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborated with surgical services and clinical leadership to ensure instrument availability and support patient safety.
• Monitored departmental metrics, sterilization outcomes, and operational performance to drive continuous improvement.