Covenant Health

Materials Associate

Full Time, 80 Hours per pay period,  Day Shift

Fort Sanders Regional Overview:

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a 444-bed hospital recognized for pairing clinical expertise with advanced medical technology to deliver exceptional care. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, we provide leading-edge treatment for stroke recovery. Our facility also offers specialized services in bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, and advanced orthopedic care.

Fort Sanders Regional is part of Covenant Health, East Tennessee’s largest nonprofit health system and a Becker’s “Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare.” Covenant Health includes nine hospitals and nearly 150 service locations, offering employees a comprehensive benefits package with tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, certification bonuses, and leadership development programs.

Position Summary:

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Materials Management to provide for consistent charging and revenue capture, as well as supply distribution services to assigned customers when needed. Uses the Materials Management Information System to accomplish assigned tasks.  Performs all duties necessary to ensure that the supply needs of the hospital are met in a timely and high quality manner.

• Responsible for the daily collection and entry of all patient charges related to supplies and patient use equipment.
• Accountable for the capture of a consistent revenue stream each day, as well as addressing errors, overcharges, late charges, etc.
• Collects, cleans and/decontaminates, on a daily basis, all reusable patient use equipment.
• Performs functions of both Materials Associates I and II as needed or directed.
• Serves as an interface between customers and Materials Management staff by coordinating individual customer needs with the appropriate staff member. May assign or delegate certain tasks to staff as needed.
• Handles customer complaints, then follows up to assure satisfaction and that appropriate action was taken by management and staff.
• Provides operational support and service to managers, directors, and vice-presidents in matters of supply procurement, including but not limited to requisitioning and purchase of needed items.
• Assumes a supervisory role over other Materials Associates on the assigned shift.
• Must be proficient in performing the following department functions: Par Level Management, Purchasing, Receiving, Warehousing, Inventory Control and use of the MMIS.
• Uses problem solving and “Plan-Do-Check-Act” skills to develop solutions to complex problems as presented by management and peers. May be asked to facilitate or be a participant on various quality teams throughout Covenant Health.
• Responsible for effective, timely, and autonomous decision making in matters of customer relations, problem solving, or issues which arise in absence of the manager or director.
• Responsible for preparing/communicating purchase orders as needed within policy guidelines on the Materials Management Information System (MMIS).
• Provides training and education to peer staff on topics such as requisitioning, par management, use of handheld technologies, inventory management, etc.
• Responsible for resolving matters relating to invoice/shipping discrepancies with vendors and finance staff.
• Responsible for professional communications with customers, suppliers, and support personnel via telephone, e-mail, or in person.
• Attends meetings as directed/requested with suppliers, customers, support staff, and management.
• Responsible for coordinating vendor returns, backorders, or evaluations as required or requested by management.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Recommends product substitutions to customers in cases of vendor backorder or supply shortages.
• Responsible for endorsing, supporting, and exemplifying the vision, values, and purpose statement of Covenant Health and the Materials Management unit.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Education:           

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.  Preference may be given to individuals possessing an Associate’s degree in a directly-related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience:         

None

Licensure Requirement:      

None