Director, Health System Sterilization and High Level Disinfection Operations

Join a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as the Director, Health System Sterilization and High Level Disinfection Operations responsible for the planning and direction of sterilization and High Level Disinfection activities throughout the UCMC campus and Health System. 

The Director, Health System Sterilization and High Level Disinfection Operations will oversee departmental financial and human resources in order to support process improvement, cost containment, and staffing effectiveness in delivery of processed, complete instrumentation on a timely basis to operating suites and other sites.  The director will be responsible for assuring corporate compliance and other regulatory requirements across the health system.  This leader is also responsible for the direction of training and continuing education for the Health System / including clinic staff utilizing instrumentation/devices and performing sterilization and High Level Disinfection activities.

Who you are:

An experienced sterile processing and disinfection leader with:

• Advanced degree in Healthcare or Business is desirable.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a management or supervisory role is required; director-level experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in sterile processing or surgery is required.
• Hands-on experience in Sterile Processing; preferably in a large hospital system.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience overseeing sterile processing at a multi-location facility.
• Thorough knowledge of aseptic techniques and procedures, sterilization techniques and procedures, infection control requirements, equipment and supply processing is required.
• Sterile Processing Certification is required within 12 months of start date; Advanced certification in sterile processing preferred.
• Familiarity with instrument inventory management/tracking systems is preferred.
• Microsoft Office and applicable computer skills required.
• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Ability to work independently and interactively at all levels of the organization is required.

What you’ll gain as the Director, Health System Sterilization and High Level Disinfection Operations: 

• Opportunity to work for an integrated academic and community health system with aggressive plans for growth across the Chicagoland area.
• Ability to make an immediate impact by implementing operational improvements for sterile processing across the UCMC system.

What you’ll do as the Director, Health System Sterilization and High Level Disinfection Operations:

• Direct the sterile processing functions across the system for all operative instrument sites, including surgical services, labor and delivery, on-site/offsite clinic locations, and sterile trays for bedside procedures; tray and equipment assembly.
• Meet internal and external regulations as well as standards and external benchmarks for completeness, delivery, and quality.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with senior leaders at individual sites, staff, nurses, physicians, other hospital personnel, vendors, and community contacts to ensure open lines of communication for effective and efficient department operation and effective patient care.
• Foster a positive team environment that recognize staff and encourage staff to voice opinions and participate in the continuous improvement of the operation.
• Standardize and monitor supply systems to ensure optimum usage and availability within fiscal parameters.
• Establish, meet, and continuously monitor the goals and objectives while maintaining alignment with the strategic goals and objectives for each site and the health system.
• Direct the development of quality improvement plans that maintain regulatory compliance and survey readiness and maintain competent staff in order to ensure compliance.
• Interpret impact of broad scope organizational change for staff and develops change strategies for successful implementation.
• Plan department budgets, and within the established UCMC guidelines, administer a cost-effective capital and operating budget.
• Direct and provide guidance to managers to effectively allocate resources based on case load, space availability, budget constraints, and program priorities, goals and objectives.
• Act as overseer for the quality standards of instrument processing in other procedural areas (e.g. Endoscopy).
• Direct any consulting or outsourcing contracts for instrumentation and sterile processing.
• Develop and maintain the instrument tracking software system.
• Direct and mentor subordinate managers and staff by setting performance standards, acting as a role model in organizational collaboration, and rewarding individual and group contributions.
• Ensure that sterilization and high level disinfection policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the UCMC mission, values and strategic plan; and are in compliance with all regulatory and industry standards.
• Identify opportunities for the expansion and improvement of Perioperative services and organizational development support for UCMC management staff.
• Establish and meet internal and external customer service standards.
• Participate in the facilities master planning process for Perioperative services expansion.
• Role model excellent service standards to internal and external customers.
• Formulate and communicate organizational and departmental goals in support of the UCH strategic plan.
• Represent Perioperative and Procedural Services leadership and the organization as directed by the Health System Vice President.
• Demonstrate personal attributes that inspire trust, confidence and the ability to build, motivate and develop a team of professionals.
• Structure an environment that encourages staff development, cross-training and goal achievement and is responsible for the direction of training and continuing education for the UCMC Campus including clinic staff performing sterile processing activities.

Leadership at UChicago Medicine:

E4 Leadership (Equity, Engage, Evolve, Excel) is a patient centered management system that empowers teams to improve on a daily basis. This is done through daily readiness huddles, real time process monitoring, performance review huddles and structured problem solving.

E4 Leadership is an evolving system where leaders work together to cultivate a culture of equity and continuous improvement that enables:

• Each person to realize their full potential for contribution
• The organization to achieve high performance outcomes
• System-wide integration, coordination, and seamless execution
• Clear focus on exceptional, equitable patient care and experiences

As part of the leadership team, this position will be instrumental in reinforcing and sustaining UChicago Medicine’s E4 Leadership Culture.

Must comply with UChicago Medicine’s COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.

We’ve been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment… with patients and with each other. We’re in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you’d like to add enriching human life to your profile, UChicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

UChicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: UChicago Medicine Career Opportunities.

UChicago Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.

Must comply with UChicago Medicine’s COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.

Compensation & Benefits Overview

UChicago Medicine is committed to transparency in compensation and benefits.  The pay range provided reflects the anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position.

The pay range is based on a full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) and is reflective of current market data, reviewed on an annual basis. Compensation offered at the time of hire will vary based on candidate qualifications and experience and organizational considerations, such as internal equity. Pay ranges for employees subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements are negotiated by the medical center and their respective union.

Review the full complement of benefit options for eligible roles at Benefits - UChicago Medicine.