Sandra Ploeg
Littleton,CO
Summary
Dedicated Instrument Coordinator with comprehensive expertise in surgical instrumentation and exceptional communication abilities. Proven track record of enhancing instrument availability through strategic planning, innovative troubleshooting, and the development of new surgical sets. Recognized for a meticulous attention to detail and adaptability to evolving technologies that support patient-focused care.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SPD Instrument Coordinator
UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
Highlands Ranch, CO
02.2022 - Current
- Acquire all necessary instrumentation for the OR, and other hospital departments.
- Collaborate with surgeons and OR specialty coordinators to fulfill new instrument requests.
- Oversee repairs for scopes, cameras, sets, and instruments.
- Work to streamline processes and ensure that IFUs remain updated.
- Revise and enhance existing count sheets, and build new ones.
- Enter new instruments into SPM, and ensure education is provided as needed for new items.
- Assess set inventory and usage to pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Process payments promptly upon completion of repair services.
- Manage inventory for replacement instruments and implants.
- Collaborate with vendors regarding consignment and loaned trays.
- Maintain specialized knowledge for all instrumentation used by the hospital.
- Perform all duties required of an SPD Technician.
Certified Sterile Processing Technician
UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
Highlands Ranch, CO
01.2020 - Current
- Finalized documentation, training protocols, and onboarding procedures for new hires.
- Created training plans for new hires based on experience assessments, learning needs, and UCHealth guidelines.
- Kept team on track through task delegation and supervising workflow, as well as ensuring that all necessary tasks are complete for next day cases.
- Adhered to decontamination protocols according to manufacturer's IFUs and UCHealth procedures.
- Maintain safety by ensuring proper testing and handling of specialized instruments.
- Collaborated with vendors to manage drop-offs and consignment tray resets.
- Operated steam, VHP and HLD sterilizers in compliance with manufacturer's IFU.
- Prepared sterile instruments and surgical supplies for upcoming surgeries.
Certified Sterile Processing Technician
Holland Hospital
Holland, MI
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Assembled procedural trays, instruments, and surgical sets. Restocked implants in owned sets after each use. Replaced broken instruments to ensure no sets were missing items.
- Operated steam, VHP, and HLD sterilizers following manufacturer's IFU.
- Decontaminated instrumentation according to the Manufacturer's IFU and hospital policy.
- Placed orders for implants, surgical materials, and supplies for decontamination, assembly, and sterile storage areas.
- Delivered exceptional customer service through both in-person and phone interactions.
Environmental Services Technician
Holland Hospital
Holland, MI
01.2017 - 08.2018
- Consistently outperformed standards by maintaining a detail-focused approach.
- Maintained floors with regular sweeping, mopping and vacuuming. Stripped and coated floors with new floor finish when assigned.
- Optimized cleaning processes to cut patient room cleaning time from 40 minutes to 20-30 minutes.
- Ensured safe transportation of hazardous waste within the hospital.
Tutor
Self Employed
Holland, MI
09.2009 - 07.2019
- Facilitated one-on-one academic support for students from elementary to college level in multiple disciplines such as Math, Science, English, and Spanish.
- Supported students in mastering key steps of the writing process such as researching, structuring content, and refining drafts.
- Supported students with differing backgrounds and educational needs, including ADHD or learning disabilities, to help them thrive academically.
- Lead conversations on optimizing study habits to achieve academic objectives.
- Enhanced lesson effectiveness through student and parent feedback, creating tailored content.
- Organized regular meetings with parents to discuss student progress.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZBachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Hope College
Holland, MIHigh School Diploma -
Holland Christian High School
Holland, MI04.2014
Skills
- Thinking quickly, especially in the event of a trauma case or emergency
- Computerized tracking, spreadsheets
- Sterilization procedures in accordance with Manufacturer IFUs (Steam, VHP, and HLD)
- Extensive knowledge of surgical instruments, including specialty instruments used in Vascular surgery, Neurology, ENT, Robotics, Microsurgery, and Orthopedics
- Organization and planning
- Excellent communication skills
- 10 years of teaching experience and developing educational material
Certification
- CRCST certification
- CER certification
- BLS certification through American Heart Association.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
SPD Instrument Coordinator
UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
02.2022 - Current
Certified Sterile Processing Technician
UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
01.2020 - Current
Certified Sterile Processing Technician
Holland Hospital
08.2018 - 12.2019
Environmental Services Technician
Holland Hospital
01.2017 - 08.2018
Tutor
Self Employed
09.2009 - 07.2019
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Hope College
High School Diploma -
Holland Christian High School
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