Director, Sterile Processing and High Level Disinfection (HLD) Operations

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is dedicated to eliminating cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, prevention, and education. UT MD Anderson operates a complex healthcare environment that includes the Texas Medical Center campus, Houston Area Locations, ambulatory facilities, regional sites, and a Consolidated Service Center supporting patient care across the institution.

The Director of High Level Disinfection & Sterilization is a senior leadership role responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing enterprise-wide high level disinfection and sterilization programs. The Director of High Level Disinfection & Sterilization ensures regulatory compliance, infection prevention, patient safety, workforce development, and operational excellence across all locations. The Director of High Level Disinfection & Sterilization partners with executive leadership, clinicians, operational leaders, infection prevention teams, environmental health and safety, facilities, and sterile processing teams to support institutional goals.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in high level disinfection, sterilization, sterile processing operations, infection prevention standards, accreditation readiness, regulatory compliance, healthcare operations, workforce development, and leadership. Candidates should demonstrate success in leading enterprise-wide initiatives, partnering with executive leadership, developing educational programs, supporting workforce development, and driving continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Work Location: TMC Houston with required on-site presence and travel to regional and satellite locations.

Why Us?

This role provides the opportunity to lead institution-wide patient safety, infection prevention, and sterilization initiatives that directly support UT MD Anderson's mission. The position offers significant leadership visibility, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, opportunities for professional growth, and the ability to influence quality, safety, compliance, and operational performance across multiple clinical locations. Relocation reimbursement is available for eligible candidates.

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

High Level Disinfection & Sterilization Leadership

Serve as a subject matter expert on High Level Disinfection (HLD), Sterilization, and Spaulding Classification standards.
Ensure best practices and current standards are implemented for scopes, instruments, facility design, and environmental requirements across all HLD and sterilization areas.
Develop, manage, oversee, and implement institutional HLD and sterilization processes and procedures.
Partner with Infection Control, Environmental Health & Safety, and operational stakeholders to establish best practices.
Support Joint Commission compliance and survey readiness activities.
Prevent Immediate Threat to Life findings, accreditation risks, and infection transmission events.
Determine when HLD versus sterilization is required across institutional departments.
Provide oversight for Perioperative Services, hospital-based areas, ambulatory locations, Houston Area Locations, and Consolidated Service Center sterile processing operations.

Risk Assessment, Compliance & Safety Readiness

Establish structures and processes that focus on safety and quality.
Maintain responsibility for compliance with primary standards governing HLD and sterilization processes throughout the institution.
Ensure institutional readiness for Joint Commission Standard IC.02.02.01 and EP2 requirements.
Support risk assessment analyses in partnership with Infection Control, Facilities, Patient Safety, and Accreditation teams.
Identify points of exposure and develop corrective action plans with Sterile Processing Departments, center leaders, and other stakeholders.
Monitor adherence to compliance requirements and implementation plans.
Provide updates to Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Infection Control Committee, Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement leadership, and executive leadership regarding SPD and HLD compliance.
Maintain accountability to executive leadership for reporting trends, concerns, and best practices.
Review Environmental Health & Safety data, including humidity and temperature requirements, audit findings, and corrective action plans.
Meet regularly with SPD and center leaders to review audits, recommendations, and best practices.

Education, Training & Workforce Development

Perform initial and ongoing education for SPD and HLD teams.
Lead institutional HLD and sterilization training implementation and rollout activities.
Develop written managerial and supervisory oversight processes related to HLD and sterilization.
Ensure leadership teams possess the knowledge and training necessary to oversee HLD and sterilization operations.
Oversee continuing education initiatives and competency assessments for affected staff.
Conduct audits and operational rounds in partnership with Clinical Engineering, Facilities, Infection Prevention, and other key stakeholders.
Create hiring and staffing pathways for sterile processing operations.
Partner with Human Resources and leadership to establish formal HLD and sterilization career progression pathways.
Support career advancement opportunities including Sterile Processing Technician, Senior Technician, Instrument Specialist, SPD Lead, and Development Specialist roles.
Establish a Sterile Processing Department Residency Program.
Implement initiatives that help address workforce retention challenges within sterile processing operations.

Space & Equipment Planning

Attend space and equipment planning meetings for all areas performing HLD and sterilization across the Texas Medical Center campus and Houston Area Locations.
Ensure appropriate space and location are available and maintained for decontamination, high level disinfection, sterilization, and storage activities.
Create and maintain an institutional inventory of HLD and sterilization equipment.
Ensure accessibility of manufacturer instructions for use for devices, equipment, supplies, and products.
Partner with institutional stakeholders to determine required HLD and sterilization equipment.
Collaborate with operational leaders to ensure HLD and sterilization areas have the resources necessary to provide safe, quality care and services.
Ensure compliance with equipment maintenance requirements.

Leadership, Communication & Stewardship

Establish clear expectations and accountability standards for departments and teams.
Communicate complex regulatory, operational, technical, and risk-related information to frontline staff, leaders, physicians, and executive leadership.
Apply analytical thinking to assess information, solve problems, and make sound decisions.
Support continuous learning and practice-based improvement initiatives.
Provide technical expertise related to HLD and sterilization operations.
Demonstrate sound business acumen while balancing quality, safety, workforce needs, operational performance, and financial stewardship.
Promote professionalism, service excellence, ethical conduct, and adherence to institutional policies and standards of conduct.
Provide employee development opportunities, coaching, and ongoing feedback to employees.
Manage operating expenses in alignment with budget expectations.
Complete required leadership development and management curriculum requirements.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor's Degree Business Administration or healthcare discipline.
Preferred: Master's Degree Healthcare discipline.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required: Eight years managerial experience in a clinical setting to include 2 years of experience in high level disinfection and/or sterilization.
Additional years of related experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree on a one to one basis.
Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required: CRCST - Certified and Registered Central Service Technician Healthcare Sterile Processing (HSPA). Upon Hire or
Required: CERT ER - Cert Endoscope Reprocessor Healthcare Sterile Processing (HSPA). Upon Hire or
Required: CFER - Certification for Flexible-Endoscope Reprocessor Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Upon Hire or
Required: CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Upon Hire or
Required: CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Upon Hire or
Required: CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Tech Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Upon Hire or
Required: CSPM - Certified in Sterile Processing Management Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Upon Hire or
Required: CSIS - Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD). Upon Hire or
Required: CST - Certified Surgical Technologist National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Upon Hire or
Required: CNOR - Certified Operating Room Nurse America Board for Specialty Nursing Certification and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Upon Hire

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information

Requisition ID: 182704
Employment Status: Full-Time
Employee Status: Regular
Work Week: Days, Weekends
Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 123,000
Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 154,000
Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 185,000
FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
Fund Type: Hard
Work Location: Onsite
Pivotal Position: Yes
Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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