General Summary
The Sterile Processing Quality Assurance Specialist (QA) is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and proper assembly of instrument trays according to pick sheets. This role includes verifying instrument placement, checking for good working order, and preparing trays for processing. The QA specialist provides immediate feedback and coaching, documents data in provided software, and identifies discrepancies/errors in count sheets.
Additionally, the QA specialist may assist in developing, recommending, and implementing educational needs, internal standards, policies, and procedures to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care and sterile processing. Participation in hospital, departmental, and multidisciplinary programs, committees, and special projects may also be required.
Values Statement
The Sterile Processing Quality Assurance Specialist embodies the hospital’s core values in all interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.
Duties Notice
The following statements describe the essential duties of the person assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities. In the event of a public health emergency, you may be asked to assume additional duties in other areas of the organization if needed.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Kit Review and Accuracy: Maintains review kits for accuracy and instrument functionality. Ensures every kit is audited and entered into the database.
- Error Trend Identification: Identifies trends in kit errors and reports findings from SPM collation to monthly staff meetings.
- Immediate Feedback and Coaching: Provides immediate feedback to assemblers, offers coaching to staff when gaps arise, and recognizes staff that are unreceptive to coaching. Recommends focused needs to educators and specialty training.
- Staff Evaluation: Recognizes staff that are unreceptive to feedback and reports findings and trends.
- Case Cart Review: Reviews and inspects case carts for accuracy and completeness. Helps create a missing/priority list to complete case carts.
- Discrepancy Reporting: Accurately reports all discrepancies.
- Quality Assurance Support: Supports enterprise programs for quality assurance needs.
- Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Registration
- Certification/Registration Required: SPD Certification, Level II Tech
- Certification/Registration Preferred: CIS
Education
- Required Education: High School Diploma or Surgical Technologist
- Preferred Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience
- Required Work Experience: Certification in SPD, 5+ years of experience
- Preferred Work Experience: None specified
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Analytical Skills: Ability to resolve complex problems requiring the application of clinical, scientific, or technical principles, theories, and concepts and in-depth, cross-functional, experienced-based knowledge.
- Communication Skills: Effectively deal with conflicting views or issues, mediate fair solutions, and possess well-developed writing skills.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and all levels of hospital staff, including the Operating Room and physicians.
- Multi-tasking: Capable of planning, organizing, and multi-tasking projects. Flexible and self-motivated.
- Technical Reading: Ability to read and understand applicable IFU and SPM count sheets.
- Customer Centric Behavior: Demonstrated customer-centric behavior.
- OR Workflow Knowledge: Familiarity with OR workflow, procedures, medical terminology, and instrumentation.
- Infection Control: Knowledge of infection control and health & safety policies and procedures.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Sensitivity to recognize, appreciate, and incorporate differences, diversity, and preferences into the provision of care.
- Software Proficiency: Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and the capability to learn software programs.
