Senior Director of Sterile Processing

Overview: The Senior Director of Sterile Processing provides enterprise-wide leadership, governance, and standardization for Sterile Processing Departments (SPD) across Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH). This role is responsible for implementing organizational strategy, leading and directing teams and leadership of system sterile processing operations. This includes oversight of sterile processing workflows, staff practices, and supporting infrastructure. Accountability includes ensuring safe, compliant, and highly reliable sterile processing practices across all facilities, aligned with ARH’s strategic goals and objectives. The Senior Director establishes, monitors, and advances system-wide goals and performance related to sterile processing, with accountability for operational, quality, safety, and performance outcomes. This role provides leadership and guidance to facility sterile processing leaders and collaborates closely with Perioperative Services, Infection Prevention, Facilities and Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and executive leadership to ensure consistent, standardized practices—including equipment, instrumentation, utilities, and water quality—that support patient safety, regulatory compliance, and infection prevention. The Senior Director functions as a system strategic partner, leading change initiatives, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment of sterile processing practices with organizational priorities. Responsibilities: System-Level Leadership & Strategic Coordination Serve as the system-level leader and central point of coordination for sterile processing services across all Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) facilities. Provide leadership and guidance to facility sterile processing leaders to ensure consistent, standardized workflows, practices, and policies across the system. Interpret the impact of enterprise-wide organizational and operational change on sterile processing staff and leaders and develop strategies to support successful implementation. Incorporate ARH’s mission, vision, and values into sterile processing goals, initiatives, and performance expectations. Collaborate with stakeholders to formulate system objectives, goals, and strategies aligned with organizational priorities. Operational Excellence & Performance Management Lead system-wide initiatives to improve instrument availability, turnaround times, workflow reliability, and overall sterile processing performance. Develop, implement, and manage operational initiatives with clearly defined, measurable outcomes. Establish, monitor, and analyze system-level key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sterile processing operations, quality, and efficiency. Prepare and present reports to operational and executive leadership outlining progress toward annual goals and objectives, including performance related to quality, safety, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management Ensure sterile processing policies, procedures, and practices comply with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards. Develop and maintain system policies and procedures while accounting for facility-specific equipment, layout, and operational considerations. Conduct routine audits and tracers of sterile processing practices across all facilities and coordinate corrective action plans for identified gaps. Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements, reprocessing standards, emerging best practices, instrumentation, technology, and equipment through professional engagement and continuing education. Quality Improvement & Infection Prevention Lead and support root cause analyses for sterile processing–related quality or safety events and oversee implementation of corrective and preventive actions. Partner with Infection Prevention, Perioperative Services, and Quality teams to reduce surgical site infection risk through optimized sterile processi…

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