The Central Supply Department manages and maintains the inventory of consumable supplies used within the various departments in the Foster Hospital for Small Animals and the Large Animal Hospital. This consists of procurement of supplies (i.e., needles, syringes, bandaging materials, fluids, catheters, etc.), dispensing of these supplies, and subsequent billing of the supplies that are dispensed. The department is also responsible for monitoring expenditures for general supplies within the hospital and attention must be paid to current pricing options from various vendors.

The Central Supply Associate plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the hospital by maintaining inventory, ordering supplies, and organizing and distributing materials to various departments. This position is responsible for managing the flow of medical, surgical, and general supplies, while ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards. A key part of the role is to support hospital staff by ensuring that necessary supplies are available when needed, contributing to optimal patient care and hospital operations.

Essential functions as a Central Supply Associate will be:

Supply/Inventory Support

• Help manage and organize the central supply inventory, ensuring that all items are properly labeled, stored, and readily accessible.
• Help Maintain accurate records of supplies, including quantities, usage, and expiration dates.
• Help order supplies and materials based on inventory levels, usage reports, and departmental needs.
• Distribute supplies to various departments (e.g., patient care, surgery, labs) in a timely and organized manner.
  Ensure that inventory is replenished regularly to avoid shortages or overstock.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate with vendors to resolve any issues related to orders, deliveries, or product quality.
• Assist with the disposal of expired, damaged, or unused items in compliance with hospital policies.
• Maintain a clean and organized central supply area, following all safety protocols and infection control standards.
• Assist with the organization and stocking of supplies for special events, training sessions, or hospital procedures.
• Communicate with hospital staff to identify supply needs and address any concerns or shortages.
• Support inventory audits and inspections as required by hospital policies or external agencies.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure cost-effective purchasing and to help track budget expenditures for supplies.
• Provide backup support to other team members in the central supply department as needed. 80%
• Supply/Inventory Research
• Help conduct regular research on new products, supplies, and equipment to ensure the hospital has access to the most effective and cost-efficient options.
• Stay informed on the latest trends, advancements, and best practices in inventory management and supply chain logistics.
• Collaborate with vendors and suppliers to assess product availability, quality, and potential for cost savings or improvements in supply efficiency.
• Analyze usage patterns and trends in hospital departments to recommend adjustments in supply orders, ensuring that inventory levels match clinical needs.
• Help Investigate and resolve any discrepancies between actual inventory and system records to maintain accurate stock levels.
• Help Perform comparative analysis of suppliers to identify opportunities for better pricing, improved product quality, and more efficient delivery times.
• Assist in the development of best practices for inventory management, including minimizing waste, reducing stockouts, and improving overall supply chain operations.

Compliance and Safety

•  Ensure strict adherence to infection control policies, OSHA regulations, and other relevant safety and health standards to maintain a safe working environment for staff and patients.
• Regularly review and update department procedures to remain compliant with evolving health and safety regulations.
• Maintain proper documentation and records for sterilization processes, including sterilization logs, equipment inspections, and employee training records.
• Lead efforts to maintain a sterile and organized work environment by promoting cleanliness and proper sanitation procedures.

Basic Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent; certification in central sterilization or sterile processing preferred.
• Previous experience in a healthcare setting
• Strong understanding of sterilization processes, infection control standards, and equipment maintenance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism.
• Ability to lead a team effectively, provide constructive feedback, and foster a collaborative work culture.
• Attention to detail while working in a busy, fast paced environment with little immediate supervision
• Able to work on-site and in-person at the Grafton campus
• Knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office programs
• Ability to prioritize and organize workflow and effectively change priorities and direction
• Must be an effective communicator with a keen sense of how to maintain excellent relationships
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and balance multiple stakeholders
• Must be committed to a culture of diversity, equity, respect and inclusion; demonstrated ability to build working relationships with people having a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences different from one's' own
• Schedule will mainly be Monday to Friday but some holiday/weekend coverage may be required.
• Resourcefulness and Results: Ability to work effectively in various situations, demonstrate flexibility, and take initiative. Skilled in decision-making, risk assessment, and delivering results. Willingness to adapt to the dynamic environment of a veterinary teaching hospital while ensuring efficient service delivery. Ability to multi-task and manage changing demands.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working in veterinary medicine
  
  

About Tufts University

This is Tufts. Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway). Our employees light the way. Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world. At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you. Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ...Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most. We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging. Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world. An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Tufts University