Mount Sinai West

William DeLuca

Being in a leadership position in Sterile Processing is no easy task and is not suited for everyone. It’s a thankless job and the respect you garner will be minimal considering the responsibilities and expectations your bosses will have for you. Sterile Processing is very much a service oriented department, and our customers are as demanding as could be. Having an ego as a leader in Sterile Processing is will set you up for failure. The top 3 traits all Sterile Processing leaders should have are conscientiousness, commitment, and most of all emotional intelligence. Even though you may be charged with the task of overseeing a large Sterile Processing Department and must attend to big picture needs it is still a meticulous and detail oriented position. If you aren’t careful and thoughtful in your decisions those decisions could potentially lead to a negative patient outcome.Your eyes must always be open and your head always held high, leaders have to always remember they set the tone for the department they lead. If they aren’t detailed in their work the staff will notice and mimic their leader. Some Sterile Processing departments are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week,and 365 days per year and require you to answer phone calls, emails and text messages at all hours of the night and holidays. Leaders should be in scrubs and doing rounds by 630am every morning.

“The top 3 traits all Sterile Processing leaders should have, are conscientiousness, commitment, and most of all emotional intelligence”

Some days you’ll miss dinner with your family. This position requires a high level of commitment that some people will say is not worth the time and money. Leaders have to be committed, committed to their staff, committed to new processes they implement, committed to giving 100% effort every single day. If you aren’t committed as a leader it will easily show in your failed processes and staff productivity and behavior. Like a hall of fame NFL quarterback you have to have a short memory when you make an error. If you throw an interception, on your next possession you can’t become timid or unassured. You have to remain just as confident especially when making decisions under pressure on the fly. Overthinking or questioning your ability will cause you to make more mistakes.Most people who work in perioperative services are committed and do give 100% everyday, so they can easily spot the slackers. If the nurses and OR staff you work with notice you aren’t fully committed they will most definitely make your life that much more difficult.They need to know you’re just as committed and focused on your job as they are on theirs. This might seem obvious but you’d be surprised how many toxic and unengaged SPD managers and directors there are in Sterile Processing. With over 70 surgeries per day, 60 employees, and a dynamic OR it will be stressful and get emotional. You will encounter rude and impatient surgeons, illogical and micromanaging bosses, and childlike and immature staff. You will encounter every personality type and they are going to push you to your limits. As a leader you must ALWAYS remain calm and courteous to ensure you stay focused and make the right decisions for the patient. Stress will cause you to get emotional, and emotions cloud reason, so it is essential to have the ability to navigate stressful situations to make the best decision for the patient.