Sterilization Technician

HEART OF FLORIDA HEALTH CENTER INC•Ocala, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Entry-level dental position responsible for ensuring proper sterilization of instruments and disinfections of dental equipment and treatment rooms to assist dental assistants, dental hygienist and or dentist as needed. Team members are responsible for participation in ongoing on-the-job training toward the goal of performing all the patient service representative tasks as well as all the delegable clinical dental assisting duties listed in Florida Statutes 466 and Administrative Rules 64B-5, including but not limited to screening and preparing patients for treatment, assisting dentists in treating patients, educating patients, and processing instruments, with adherence to HIPAA, CDC, and OSHA standards. Consideration of promotion to a dental assistant role may be given when a vacant position becomes available.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required.
Successful completion of a dental radiology course within 90 days of hire needed.
Current BLS Certificate from an accredited AHA or American Red Cross provider
Must have a valid Florida Driver’s license and have a reliable form of transportation.
Good Communication Skills: Must have good people skills and communicate following the HFHC Core Values.
Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability: Must be able to stay positive in stressful situations and deal professionally with unhappy, fearful, and confrontational individuals.
Adherence to Policy and Procedures: Must have a good working knowledge of dental terminology, dental policies & procedures, and oral health issues or be willing to train. Team member must follow the organizational and department professional code of conduct.
Time Management Skills: Must be able to organize and prioritize workload.
Competent in General Office Skills such as computers (Microsoft Office products, EHR i.e. eCW), faxes, telephones, and copy machines.
Teamwork: Must be team-oriented and maintain an effective and positive professional working relationship with all clinical and nonclinical staff, including but not limited to other Dental Assistants, Patient Service Representative, Dental Practice Manager, Hygienists, Dentists and Chief Dental Officer.
Proactive Attitude: Must be willing to train in additional duties and expanded functions to grow professionally within the organization.
Flexibility and Attendance: Must be able to work flexible hours and at various sites as needed or assigned by the Dental Practice Manager and Chief Dental Officer.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to stand or sit chairside for extended periods of time.
Must have manual dexterity to allow for the handling of specialized dental equipment.
Must have clear vision to allow inspection of instruments for cleanliness, residue or defects.

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Certificate (EFDA) within 12 months from the start date of hire preferred.
Working Experience: No dental assistant experience required, yet preference will be given to candidates with experience and or training.
Behavioral Management: Experience working with children and comfortable working with patients of all ages preferred or be willing to train. Experience working with patients with special needs a plus.
Cultural Competency: Experience dealing with underserved populations and ability to relate to patients of all religions, ethnical and cultural backgrounds preferred.
Bilingual a plus: Spanish speaker preferred.

Responsibilities

Sterilization technician performs the necessary operatory disinfection and sterilization procedures to support the dental team.
Performs operatory disinfection before and after dental procedures.
Handles dental instruments, including cleaning/oiling, bagging, sterilization/disinfection, and re-circulation following OSHA and CDC standards.
Prepare dental operatory for treatment.
Perform patient intake and seat patients.
Assists in educating patients and parents/guardians regarding oral hygiene, treatment option and plans, dental consent and provides witness signatures prior to specialty procedures.
Presents treatment plans prepared by the dentist and obtains patient and or parent signatures.
Prepares, scans, and or faxes referral, medical clearance, and other forms as needed.
Assists in scheduling appointments.
Performs Clinical Office maintenance tasks and maintains logs and calendar records:
Performing Autoclave and Ultrasonic equipment maintenance and records in logs.
Assisting in monitoring Amalgam Separator level, changing filter, and sending out for proper disposal.
Maintaining dental equipment by changing filters, solutions, or chemicals following manufacturer’s recommendations, and cleans dental equipment in accordance with OSHA and CDC standards.
Assisting in maintaining proper inventory by monitoring material supply, instrument and equipment function and availability, and removing expired materials and damaged instruments.
Assisting in preparing orders and putting away orders as well as organizing dental supplies.
Assisting in maintaining the Emergency Crash Cart by monitoring supplies, removing expired items, and ordering new supplies as needed.
Assisting in monitoring of the AED battery and pad expiration, logs status, and orders replacement as needed.
Assisting in Dental Lab order submission, case receipt, and associated tracking logs.
Assisting in monitoring Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen supply, contacts vendor, as needed, for re-order, and ensures associated log completion.
Assisting in Waterline Preventative Maintenance through quarterly shock treatments.
Assists in performing dental water line daily maintenance, treatment and ensuring filtration, as well as assists in quarterly water testing.
Assists in performing dental equipment maintenance and reporting need for repair as well as monitoring repair process.
Ensuring biohazard and sharps container maintenance and adheres to sharps protocol.
Participates in ongoing on-the-job training.
May be required to travel to other HFHC locations as needed.
Assists with other clinical and office duties as assigned by the supervising dentist, or dental practice manager.