Skill-based job descriptions for sterile processing technicians--a total quality approach

Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY, included as part of its total quality management effort the task of revising job descriptions for its sterile processing technicians as a way to decrease turnover and increase job satisfaction, teamwork and quality output. The department's quality team developed "skill banding," a tool that combines skill-based pay with large salary ranges that span job classifications normally covered by several separate salary ranges. They defined the necessary competencies needed to move through five skill bands and worked with the rest of the department to fine-tune the details. The process has only recently been implemented, but department employees are enthusiastic about it.