The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of sterile processing experience and at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role

The High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance, education, and adherence to high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization processes within the institution. Focused on infection prevention and control, this position utilizes quality and performance improvement methodologies to uphold patient safety standards and reduce healthcare-associated infections. The specialist is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and escalating, in real-time, all concerns related to institutional activities or audit findings that threaten patient safety, institutional safety, and/or regulatory and accreditation non-compliance to the HLD and Sterilization Manager.

Education

Identify, prioritize and escalate gaps and institutional staff compliance with any and all HLD and sterilization policies, procedures, regulatory standards and infection prevention and control guidelines.

Quality

Utilize performance improvement and High-Reliability Organization Principle methodologies to identify opportunities for standardization and optimization of HLD and sterilization processes across the institution. 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.

Training

Provide training, education, and competency evaluation programs for HLD and Sterilization leaders, staff and all other institutional staff, as assigned. Ensure training, education and evaluations are in alignment with job responsibilities, institutional policies and all applicable procedures and SOPs. Assess and address learning needs of teams assigned. Create educational goals, objectives and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology. Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and learner outcomes.

Leading Self

Participate in continuous education and professional development to stay updated with evolving regulations and best practices. Demonstrate professional growth and development, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and a psychologically safe environment for communication among the team. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate evidence-based practices into policies, guidelines, and protocols. Maintain certification requirements and participate in professional associations ( i.e., AAMI, HSPA, etc.).

Other

Create reports and deliver presentations to maintain accurate documentation of HLD and sterilization activities, audits, and compliance metrics.
Participate in departmental strategic planning initiatives to address emerging challenges and regulatory changes.

Bachelor's degree. Five years hospital-based sterile processing experience. May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis. One of the following: One of the following: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM). Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM). Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) by the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM). Certified Healthcare Leadership (CHL) by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM). Certified Sterile Processing Distribution Technician (CSPDT) by the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM) by the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) by the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information
Requisition ID: 175863 Employment Status: Full-Time Employee Status: Regular Work Week: Days Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 67,000 Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 83,500 Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 100,000 FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay Fund Type: Hard Work Location: Onsite Pivotal Position: No Referral Bonus Available?: No Relocation Assistance Available?: No Science Jobs: No
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