Sterile Processing Manager
Charleston, South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina - University Hospital

Job Opportunity: Sterile Processing Tech Manager

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Lead and manage all operations within the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), ensuring efficient workflow to meet surgical demands. This role includes supervision, staff development, quality assurance, and coordination with surgical and clinical teams. The position is a temporary-to-permanent opportunity with a day shift schedule of three 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM), Monday through Friday, with holiday rotation. No weekend requirement.

Key Responsibilities

Supervision and Leadership (35%)

• Manage all SPD operations: decontamination, assembly, sterilization, case cart management, and distribution.
• Lead SPD staff including Supervisors, Lead Technicians, and Technicians at various levels.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain qualified staff aligned with surgical volume.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Oversee multi-site SPD operations and floating between facilities as required.

Department Advancement and Expectations (30%)

• Develop and implement staff education, competency assessments, certification support, and cross-training.
• Monitor quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.
• Manage sterilization records, biological monitoring, and documentation accuracy.
• Investigate and resolve quality issues, tray errors, and infection prevention concerns.
• Manage SPD operating and capital budgets, optimize labor productivity, and reduce overtime.
• Maintain department policies, procedures, and standard work practices.
• Oversee instrument repair, replacement planning, and capital equipment requests.
• Serve as liaison to Perioperative Services, Infection Prevention, Risk Management, and Materials Management.
• Participate in interdisciplinary committees and communicate performance metrics to leadership.

Coordination and Management of Specialty Services (30%)

• Oversee instrument inventory, tracking systems, and preventive maintenance.
• Collaborate with OR leadership and supply chain to ensure surgical case readiness and instrument availability.
• Audit tray assembly accuracy, count sheets, peel packs, and labeling.
• Address service concerns and implement service recovery.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings related to instrumentation and workflow.

Sterile Processing Duties (5%)

• Monitor adherence to infection control, safety, and universal precautions.
• Organize, store, and distribute instruments and equipment.
• Prepare instrument trays and equipment for sterilization.
• Perform decontamination and sterilization of instruments, medical supplies, and equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Sterile Processing Technician, including experience within the last year.
• Completion of at least one travel assignment as a Sterile Processing Technician.
• Prior supervisory experience in sterile processing roles.
• Experience with Neuro, GU, Robotics, ENT, Orthopedics, Transplant, and GYN surgical cases.

Work Schedule

• Shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM), Monday through Friday.
• Holiday rotation required.
• No weekend shifts required.
• Facility may call off one shift every two weeks.

Facility Highlights

• Level I Trauma Center
• Teaching facility
• Magnet recognized hospital
• 820 staffed beds
• Parking fee applies only nights and weekends (one-time $20 pass)

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

Background Checks

• Annual background check covering all locations lived/worked in the past 7 years.
• Includes SSN trace, statewide, national criminal, sex offender registry, and FACIS 3.
• Education verification required; diploma/transcripts accepted as placeholders if needed.
• State-specific Medicaid excluded provider search required.

Certifications and Licenses

• National certification: CBSPD and/or CRCST required.
• Primary source verification of license/certification required.
• Must provide clear, current certification documents (no certificates expiring within 30 days of start).
• Physical assessment specific for sterile processors required, completed by a licensed provider within one year of start.
• Fit testing for N95 masks required within 90 days prior to start and annually thereafter.
• Drug screening: 10-panel drug screen within 90 days of start.
• Immunizations and health documentation required:

  • Tdap within 10 years or declination form
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/booster documentation
  • Hepatitis B titer, vaccine series, or declination
  • Flu vaccine or medical/religious exemption during flu season (strict deadline for documentation)
• COVID vaccination highly preferred; declination form required if not vaccinated.

Other Requirements

• Clear, passport-style photo for badge (frontal view, business casual attire).
• Completion of facility-specific orientation modules prior to start (approx. 2 hours).
• Completion of annual competency exams and color blindness testing.
• Proof of 2 clinical references required.
• Complete employment application including all PTO, contract assignments, agency names, and no unaccounted gaps.
• Radiation badge may be required depending on assignment; process and timing must be followed if applicable.

Additional Notes

• Travelers will be assigned to emergency response teams; hurricane season runs June through November with peak activity in August and September.
• Local radius for travel assignments is 60 miles.
• All required documentation must be submitted and approved prior to start; no retroactive approvals.
• Facility reserves the right to adjust shifts and assignments based on operational needs.

This position is ideal for experienced sterile processing professionals with leadership skills seeking a travel contract with potential for permanent placement.