Sterilization Technican

Position Overview

Under direct supervision, this non-exempt position will be responsible for the sterilization of all health care equipment, instruments and supplies according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and infection control procedures. Reports to the Dental Office Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares, sterilizes, installs, assembles, or cleans all laboratory or healthcare equipment required for surgeries, examinations, and medical procedures; collects used and contaminated equipment, instruments, and supplies for sorting and decontamination; prepares and packs decontaminated supplies for sterilization; and ensures equipment, instruments, and supplies can be reused safely to prevent infections.
• Sterilizes and disinfects dental instruments using the protocols set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and equipment manufacturers; prepares trays with standard dental equipment to ensure effective patient turnover; and ensures all dental instruments are being cleaned, stored, and sterilized using autoclave.
• Observes and maintains all CDC and OSHA guidelines and standards; operates, monitors, and cleans sterilization equipment at all dental sites, including mobile units; performs daily and weekly infection control test to ensure optimum sterility; tests and reports any issues or problems with the sterilization equipment; and maintains records of sterilization procedures, sterilized items, equipment maintenance, and supplies.
• Washes and disinfects exam tables, dental equipment, and other patient-related items per prescribed guidelines; cleans mops, brooms, brushes, pads, rags, pails, etc. after use and store properly; maintains powered cleaning equipment, lubricate automatic scrubbers, adjust, and change pads, install, or replace filters, and check batteries on equipment; and empty cleaning agents from machines and rinse out after use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. One (1) year sterilization experience in a health care facility is preferred or Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) recommended. Must maintain annual OSHA, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Basic Life Support (BLS) and infection control training as required by law. Sterilization Technicians must complete OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program within the first 6 months of employment.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sterile Processing - Knowledge of how medical/surgical supplies and equipment, both sterile and not sterile, are cleaned, prepared, processed, stored, and issued for patient care. Requires technical skills and familiarity with sterilization techniques.
• HIPAA – Knowledge of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure the privacy and safeguard patient information.

• Customer Service — Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes meeting quality standards for service.

• Technology — Knowledge of general office equipment and personal computers to include word processing, spreadsheet, and related software. Comprehensive knowledge of office systems, practices, procedures, and administration.

• Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and related software to effectively complete a variety of financial tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy.
• Time Management - Plans and organizing daily work routine. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Implement work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
• Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees and all levels of management to include representatives from other departments and organizations.

• Communication – Ability to effectively communicate ideas and proposals verbally and in writing, to include the preparation of detailed logs which include numerical information.
• Judgment/Decision Making — Evaluates the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.