Sterile Processing Coordinator - Sterile Processing - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union) Job Listing at Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, CA (Job ID 87517198064)

Description

The Sterile Processing Coordinator serves as a critical liaison between the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), Operating Rooms (OR) Pod Leads, vendors, and clinical support teams. This role oversees the purchasing, tracking, and maintenance of surgical instruments and trays while ensuring accuracy in the instrument tracking system. The Coordinator also supports communication, staff training, and process improvement to promote patient safety, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.

• Partners with SPD leadership and OR Pod Leads to communicate instrument-related issues, shortages, and trends in damage or replacement costs
• Collaborates with Shift Supervisors to assess instrumentation needs for scheduled cases and prioritize sterilization according to the OR schedule
• Provides regular updates from vendors regarding product availability, changes, and timelines
• Recommends substitutions for damaged or unavailable instruments and report lost items to SPD and OR leadership.
• Builds, updates, and maintains count sheets for new and existing trays within the instrument tracking system
• Ensures instrument and tray inventory is accurately reflected in the tracking system.
• Monitors resource utilization to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Coordinates with AV technicians and vendor representatives (e.g., Karl Storz) to manage scope repairs, delays, and loaner equipment
• Maintains active communication with Risk Management, Materials Management, and Infection Prevention regarding recalls affecting SPD and Operating Room
• Contributes to quality control and performance improvement initiatives that support departmental and hospital standards of care.
• Partners with the SPD Educator to assist with onboarding and training new staff on the instrument tracking system.
• Supports ongoing staff development related to inventory management and safe instrument handling practices.
• Maintains accurate records of instrument repairs, vendor loaner services, and related expenses.
• Tracks and reports trends in instrument damage, repair costs, and supply utilization to inform process improvements.
• Coordinates with Materials Mgmt. in procuring supplies and consumables necessary for daily SPD operations.
• Ensures instruments and supplies are available, functional, and ready for scheduled procedures.
• Communicates effectively with coworkers, OR staff, physicians and others in a professional manner.
• Demonstrates appropriate people management skills under the supervision of the SPD director.
• Ensures instrument tray protocols and workflow pattern policy is adhered to at all times.
• Identifies situations (policies and procedures, systems, equipment, instruments, supplies etc) that do not support customer service, brings them to the attention of key personnel, and initiates an action plan to correct the problem.
• Practices according to USCUH collaboration principles and demonstrates respectful teamwork and delegation. Maintain compliance with all relevant regulations and accreditation standards.
• Updates and creates instrument/equipment menus/list.
• Conducts regular equipment inspections and ensure maintenance and repairs are performed as needed.
• Responsible for recommending and coordinating consignment conversions.
• Performs and/or delegates the daily functions associated with count verification of all surgical inventory locations, to ensure all inventory location counts are correct within generally accepted time frames.
• Collaborates with other healthcare departments to optimize the flow of sterile instruments.
• Provides for own professional growth regarding trends in equipment and sterilization methods through formal and informal continuing education.
• Supports continuous and ongoing customer satisfaction through the hospital-wide service excellence standards.
• Issues purchase orders (POs) to vendors in accordance with hospital protocols for instrument replacements and the creation of new surgical trays.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Req High School or equivalent
• Req 2-3 years Experience in OR/SPD Environment
• Req Knowledge of Handling, Cleaning and Distributing of Medical Equipment and related support Supplies to Patient Care Areas per recommended infection control guidelines.
• Commitment to upholding and providing excellent customer service.
• Proficient computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref Specialized/technical training Graduate of an accredited school of Surgical Technology or Sterile Processing program
• Pref Experience in OR/Acute hospital.
• Pref Surgical Technologist - CST Accredited Certified Surgical Technologist program.
• Pref Certified Instrument Specialist Through Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Certified Registered Central Service Technician - CRCST or CSPDT “Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician” through an accredited organization (HSPA, CBSPD).
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only).

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.00 - $45.20. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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