Quality & education specialist - central sterilizing services

The CSS Quality/Education Specialist is a hybrid role responsible for integrating quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and staff education across Central Sterilizing Services (CSS). This position functions as a part of a system of CSS educators and quality specialists with primary work location of Medical Center Downtown and Medical Center North Liberty. Requires schedule and location flexibility. This position leads the development, implementation, and sustainment of standardized processes, quality management systems, and educational programs to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant sterile processing operations. Functions as a key liaison across quality, operations and education domains.

This role leverages Lean/Six Sigma principles, data analytics, and adult learning methodologies to improve patient and staff safety, reduce variation and waste, and enhance staff competency. The specialist collaborates across multidisciplinary teams to align practices, support regulatory readiness, and ensure high-quality outcomes in sterile processing and high-level disinfection.

Quality Improvement & Process Excellence

• Lead and facilitate quality improvement initiatives using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Develop, implement, and sustain standardized processes within the CSS quality management system.
• Conduct root cause analysis, gap assessments, and risk evaluations driving corrective and preventive actions.
• Design, execute and manage process audits, ensuring follow-through on corrective action plans.
• Monitor, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs), quality metrics, and operational data.
• Support performance optimization, waste reduction, and defect elimination initiatives.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data from systems and field auditing.
• Develop dashboards, scorecards, and reports for stakeholders.
• Translate data insights into actionable process improvements.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership and operational teams.

Education & Training

• Design, implement, and evaluate education programs for CSS staff across locations aligned with CSS system standards.
• Conduct and oversee competency assessments, training needs analysis, and skills validation.
• Develop and maintain orientation, training, and competency documentation for compliance and audit readiness.
• Provide real-time coaching and education related to sterile processing practices, quality improvement tools, and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate in-services and training sessions with internal and external partners.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., AAMI, AORN, SGNA, CDC, OSHA, TJC).
• Support internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Maintain readiness for inspections through environmental audit cycles and process standardization.
• Interpret and apply manufacturer instructions for use (IFU) and regulatory guidance.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with operations, education, quality, clinical teams to align processes and training.
• Collaborate in the development and revision of SOPs, policies, procedures, and competencies.
• Support onboarding and orientation of new hires, including temps, students and agency staff.
• Communicate effectively across all CSS sites to standardize practices and promote change adoption.

Project Management & Change Leadership

• Lead and support multidisciplinary projects related to process improvement and education.
• Develop and execute change management plans for new processes, technologies, and workflows.
• Ensure effective implementation and sustainment of improvements across multiple sites.

Clinical/Technical Expertise

• Serve as subject matter expert in sterile processing, high-level disinfection, and endoscope reprocessing. Collaborate with clinical, infection prevention, and accreditation partners.
• Provide guidance on complex instrumentation and IFU interpretation.
• Evaluate new products and processes for compatibility with existing systems and capabilities.

Operational & Strategic Support

• Provide recommendations on inventory management, instrumentation flow, and cost reduction strategies.
• Support departmental strategic, operational, and quality planning initiatives.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, and workforce development activities as requested.

Pay Level: 4A

Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in sterile processing.
• Experience in staff training, education, or competency validation.
• Strong knowledge of sterile processing practices and medical device reprocessing.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Certification through HSPA or CBSPD is required for hire and maintained.
• Endoscope Reprocessing Certification through HSPA or CBSPD within 2 years of hire and maintained.

Desired Qualifications:

• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with KPI development, audit programs, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience leading collaborative teams and quality improvement initiatives.

Position and Application details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as required to the submission:

• Resume

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Please contact ingrid-gustafson@uiowa.edu with any questions.