Sterile Processing Assistant(Elk Ridge) - Flagstaff Fourth St - General Dentistry
About The Position
The Sterile Processing Assistant supports daily operations and the sterilization processing of reusable dental instruments and equipment, ensuring that processing meets professional standards and requirements. The role carries out the decontamination, cleaning, assembly, packing, sterilization, storage, and distribution of submitted medical instruments and equipment. The position may also include administrative or clerical duties in support of departmental operations. Work is performed at a location assigned by management, under general supervision and review; work problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures are referred to a supervisor for direction and resolution. The role supports Elk Ridge Community Health’s mission to provide comprehensive, quality, affordable, and accessible health care. It requires compliance with applicable policies and procedures, CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidance, as well as local, state, federal, and accrediting requirements. The employee is expected to maintain a clean and safe work environment, support quality improvement and infection prevention, use organizational resources cost-effectively, and represent the organization professionally.
Requirements
- High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
- One year of experience in a related role or a position requiring similar skills, preferably in a healthcare environment.
- A current, valid Level I fingerprint clearance card in good standing, or an application for one within seven working days after beginning employment.
- Reliable transportation that can meet organizational operational reassignments during the workday.
- If driving during work hours, a valid driver’s license and compliance with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.
- Ability to comply with pre-employment drug testing and applicable post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual English/Spanish ability, including speaking, reading, and writing in both languages.
Responsibilities
- Complete assigned duties and responsibilities within established time frames and quality and performance standards.
- Distribute sterile instruments to the correct locations.
- Maintain the sterile processing environment and inventory in accordance with CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidelines.
- Decontaminate, clean, assemble, pack, sterilize, store, and distribute instruments, supplies, and equipment according to protocols and policies.
- Operate sterilizers, ultrasonic washers, and other processing equipment, and monitor sterilizers according to established procedures.
- Pick up, wash, and sterilize medical instruments from dental clinics; maintain an accurate, timely log of autoclave loads and verify sterilization.
- Clean and prepare instruments according to manufacturers’ instructions; inspect instruments for damage or defects and verify their function and tray completeness.
- Sort and arrange items into proper trays, position items correctly in sterilizers, and select appropriate wash cycles.
- Assemble, wrap, and sterilize instrument trays according to Elk Ridge policy and CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidelines.
- Label each item accurately with its name and expiration date.
- Monitor and respond to biological, physical, and chemical indicators and perform required biological monitoring tests.
- Clean sterilizers and report equipment deficiencies promptly to a supervisor.
- Maintain compliance with local, state, federal, and accrediting agency requirements for sterilization activities.
- Support established policies, performance objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection prevention standards.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment and comply with applicable Joint Commission Certification standards and reporting requirements.
- Represent Elk Ridge Community Health professionally and support its mission and vision, including participation in community health events and appropriate health care activities.
- Use materials, supplies, and equipment cost-effectively and limit waste.
- Accurately document hours worked and ensure documentation is approved in a timely manner.
- Maintain proficiency with organizational operating systems and software, learning new skills as systems and programs change.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
