OR/CSS Liaison - Neuro and Spine, Full-time, Rotating

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

• Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being.
• Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

This position supports Neuro and Spine teams in the Neurosurgery cost center as the OR/CSS Liaison. This is a rotating full-time position. The orientation and permanent schedule will be 7:00am-3:30pm. Based on department needs, the role requires rotating to weekends and holiday schedules. Additionally, will need to support neurosurgery or spine specialty trauma calls based on service line needs.

The OR/CSS Liaison reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The OR/CSS Liaison is a customer focused, highly skilled surgical technologist or experienced LPN who demonstrates clinical expertise. The OR/CSS Liaison serves as a clinical expert and provides leadership, training, and development of team members, and the implementation of standards of practice. The OR/CSS Liaison position interfaces with the Operating Room Specialty Coordinators (ORSCs), OR staff and management, and CSS staff and management.

The OR/CSS Liaison identifies resources needed to implement new programs/procedures pertaining to surgical instrument preparation, and assembly, and maintenance. The OR/CSS Liaison has the overall responsibility to manage flow of materials between the Operating Room and CSS.

Responsibilities:

• Organizes, directs, and implements daily activities regarding surgical instrumentation ordering, presentation, maintenance, and preparation.
• Acts as a liaison between the OR and the Central Sterile Supply Departments.
• Assists in developing, communicating, implementing, and trouble-shooting instrument issues.
• Acts as a mediator between OR and CSS.
• Assesses the needs of the ORSCs, surgeons, and CSS resource coordinators and manager in relation to surgical instrumentation. Coordinates and monitors Quality Management activities for the OR and CSS for surgical instrumentation by communicating and personally striving to attain universal and special performance standards.
• Organizes the implementation and coordination of new instrumentation programs with the OR and CSS.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of standards of performance with team input regarding surgical instrumentation.
• Collaborates with ORSCs, OR managers, staff educators, CSS resource coordinators, and CSS managers to develop a training and development plan for surgical instrumentation.
• Develops, conducts, and participates in formal in service programs within the OR and CSS departments.
• Develops and implements written individualized training programs for staff within the surgical instrumentation arena.
• Assists members of staff with the development and presentation of in services.
• Provides input to CSS managers, resource coordinators, OR managers, and ORSCs regarding any instrumentation issues.
• Reviews daily schedule with ORSC and ensure all case carts, trays, instruments, and supplies are appropriate, available and complete.
• Facilitates in obtaining any additional items required for start of surgery.
• Facilitates delivery and return of items to proper location throughout the day.
• Facilitates the return of contaminated case carts to CSS for processing. Support Nurses in the room by being the communication link between them and CSS.
• Facilitate the return and notification of broken and dull instruments.
• Provides input to Clinical coordinators, OR manager, and ORSC's regarding any instrumentation issues.
• Organizes and implements unit in-services pertaining to new procedures, instruments, and policies for surgical instrumentation.
• Collaborates with the ORSCs, OR staff and management, the CSS staff and management to ensure all needs for surgical instrumentation are addressed.
• Assesses the resource needs for surgical instrumentation and informs OR and CSS management.
• Assist with breaks, lunches and/or staffing when requested by Clinical Coordinator.
• Works cooperatively with OR and CSS staff to jointly resolve issues or develop better services for surgical instrumentation.
• Ability to stay calm under stress and during emergencies.
• Ability to communicate with operating room staff and CSS staff in professional, courteous, and tactful manner.
• The OR/CSS Liaison must have:
  • Experience with and knowledge of surgical instruments
  • Computer experience
  • Minimum of 3 years experience in a broad area of OR specialties
  • Current surgical technologist certification or LPN with scrub experience or current international or national certification in Sterile Processing Technician.
• Job Knowledge:
  • Knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology and medical terminology
  • Knowledge and understanding of a variety of OR procedures' surgical instruments (including working parts and proper inspection)
  • This includes Orthopedic, Neuro, OB Gyn, ENT, Cardiovascular as well as general surgery instruments
  • Knowledge and understanding of basic microbiology
  • Familiar with infection control concepts
  • Thoroughly knowledgeable with all types of sterilization processes
  • Have knowledge and demonstrate implementation of hospital policies
  • Be aware of safety hazards associated with sterile processing
• Demonstrate abilities in understanding the operation of the following equipment:
  • Flash steam sterilizer.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school graduate.
• Current ORT certification or Sterile Processing Technician.
• Graduate of an accredited school of surgical technology or LPN with scrub experience.
• 3 years of OR experience.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.