Director of Sterile Processing

Sterile Processing Director

Join Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world-class, and caregivers are family. Cleveland Clinic is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the country. You will work alongside passionate and dedicated caregivers, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

Oversees and supports all aspects of reprocessing departments, including Surgical Sterile Processing (CS/SPD) and High-Level Disinfection. Supervises the overall operations of SPD areas, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance. Responsible for budgeting, accreditation requirements, regulatory compliance, employee engagement, and quality management systems. Manages business operations, including revenue, inventory (instruments and scopes), and continuous improvement initiatives. Serves as an expert in sterilization systems and oversees support functions. Leads personnel management, including recruitment, retention, and education, while developing and maintaining programs within areas of responsibility.

A caregiver in this position works days, 7:00am—4:30pm.  Must be flexible with working hours to address issues and potentially attend meetings outside of these specific working hours.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with senior local, service lines, and market leadership to develop annual departmental strategic and operational plans.

• Acts as the subject matter expert in respective market.

• Attends and participates in Huddles, OR Efficiency Meetings, Infection Control Meetings, Quality Improvement Meetings, and Accreditation C.A.R.T. Meetings, as applicable.

• Conducts periodic regional Sterile Processing leadership meetings as part of the Enterprise Sterile Processing quality system.

• Participates in Management Review as part of the Enterprise Sterile Processing quality system.

• Supports and complies with Enterprise Sterile Processing education and training requirements supporting all department job descriptions/roles.

• Supports and assures compliance with instrument tracking and traceability

solution with Sterile Processing Department staff and point of use Caregivers.

• Supports and assures compliance with all Enterprise Sterile Processing quality processes, safety programs, customer service programs, and sterilization monitoring programs for the department as part of the Enterprise Sterile Processing quality system.

• Assists in preparing annual budgets, preparing annual capital project requests, reviewing staffing requirements and cost effective programs for all services in areas of responsibility.

• Assures departmental quality standards are achieved and demonstrates accountability for improving services within department.

• Provides measurement and feedback on improvement of systems and services to leadership and other internal end-users. Works collaboratively with other team members to determine best practices and standardize across the Enterprise.

• Conducts regular rounding in the market to include clinical spaces and Operating Room, nursing leadership, and actively engages with surgeons, service line managers, and OR leadership to ensure visibility, transparent communication, and the timely identification and resolution of challenges and issues.

• Mentors and coaches the leadership team that monitors and supervises the day-to-day operations of at each local site.

• Assures compliance with regulatory requirements, accrediting agencies, AAMI Standards and professional guidelines, including conducting regular Joint Commission tracers

• Ensures collaboration between Sterile Processing, Surgery, and Supply Chain Materials Operations as well as other departments within and outside the organization to ensure that supplies and instruments are available as needed to all areas.

• Builds strong relationships between clinical end-users and processing teams to enhance collaboration and operational efficiency at each site.

• Plans ahead to ensure any supplies or instrumentation not routinely available within the department are obtained and ready prior to scheduled surgery cases as applicable.

• Participates in development of enterprise policies, SOPs and, directives, as applicable.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Nursing, Business, Logistics or another similar area.

• Offset: Seven years of SPD management level experience in a large hospital may substitute for Bachelor’s Degree requirement. Candidates without a degree must be actively enrolled in an accredited degree program within six (6) months of hire.

• Master’s Degree preferred.

Certifications:

• Required: Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST), or Certification Sterile Processing and Distribution Licensure in Sterile Processing (CSPDT).

• Certification Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) from American Society for Quality (ASQ) preferred completion in 2-years.

Complexity of Work:

· Demonstrates strong leadership and collaboration skills by effectively engaging with hospital executives, clinical leaders, and frontline staff to align sterile processing operations with patient care priorities.

· Utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to address complex sterilization challenges, regulatory compliance issues, and workflow inefficiencies.

· Exhibits strong presentation and communication skills to effectively convey technical sterilization concepts, operational updates, and performance metrics to hospital leadership, regulatory bodies, and frontline teams.

· Manages high-stakes decision-making in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment, ensuring patient safety and compliance with accreditation and infection prevention standards.

· Balances strategic planning with day-to-day operations by overseeing process improvement initiatives, optimizing resource allocation, and driving continuous improvement in sterile processing performance.

· Navigates cross-functional relationships by working closely with surgical services, infection control, supply chain, and other departments to ensure seamless instrument and equipment availability.

· Demonstrates financial acumen by overseeing budgeting, cost control, and inventory management while optimizing department efficiency and service quality.

Work Experience:

• Minimum six-year experience in central services/sterile processing and or related O.R. experience to include minimum three year previous managerial experience in a processing service that supports a surgical service, general patient care service, and outpatient activity or equivalent required.

Physical Requirements:

· Requires full range of body motion, including handling and lifting items that weigh 20-30 pounds.

· Requires the ability to push a fully loaded cart weighing up to 200+ pounds.

· Possible exposure to biological and chemical contamination.

· Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time.

· Requires corrected vision and hearing to within normal range.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

Our caregivers continue to create the best outcomes for our patients across each of our facilities. Click the link and see how we’re dedicated to providing what matters most to you: https://jobs.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-2/