Sterilization Technican

Hampton Roads Community Health Center•Portsmouth, VA

11d•$16 - $20

About The Position

Under direct supervision, the non-exempt Sterilization Technician is responsible for sterilizing health care equipment, instruments, and supplies in accordance with OSHA standards and infection control procedures. The position reports to the Dental Office Manager. The role prepares, decontaminates, sterilizes, assembles, cleans, and safely stores equipment and supplies used for dental care, examinations, surgeries, and other medical procedures. It also supports patient turnover by preparing dental trays and ensures instruments are handled according to CDC protocols and equipment manufacturers’ instructions. The technician operates, monitors, and cleans sterilization equipment at dental sites, including mobile units; conducts infection-control tests; reports equipment problems; and maintains sterilization and maintenance records. Additional duties include cleaning and maintaining exam rooms, dental equipment, and powered cleaning equipment, as well as performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Maintain annual OSHA, HIPAA, Basic Life Support (BLS), and infection-control training as required by law.
Complete the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program within the first six months of employment.
Knowledge of how sterile and nonsterile medical or surgical supplies and equipment are cleaned, prepared, processed, stored, and issued for patient care.
Technical skills and familiarity with sterilization techniques.
Knowledge of HIPAA requirements for protecting patient privacy and information.
Knowledge of customer-service principles and processes, including meeting service-quality standards.
Knowledge of general office equipment and personal computers, including word-processing, spreadsheet, and related software.
Ability to use a personal computer and related software to complete tasks effectively, with reasonable speed and accuracy.
Ability to plan and organize daily work, estimate completion times, set a schedule, and prioritize activities.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative, professional relationships with employees, management, and representatives of other departments and organizations.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including preparing detailed logs with numerical information.
Ability to evaluate research methods, establish priorities, resolve complex matters, and use judgment to select appropriate actions based on relative costs and benefits.

Nice To Haves

One year of sterilization experience in a health care facility is preferred.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification is recommended.

Responsibilities

Prepare, sterilize, install, assemble, and clean laboratory or healthcare equipment needed for surgeries, examinations, and medical procedures.
Collect used and contaminated equipment, instruments, and supplies for sorting and decontamination; prepare and pack decontaminated supplies for sterilization; and ensure items can be safely reused to prevent infections.
Sterilize and disinfect dental instruments according to CDC protocols and equipment manufacturers’ instructions.
Prepare trays with standard dental equipment to support effective patient turnover, and ensure dental instruments are cleaned, stored, and sterilized using an autoclave.
Follow CDC and OSHA guidelines and standards.
Operate, monitor, and clean sterilization equipment at all dental sites, including mobile units.
Perform daily and weekly infection-control tests to ensure optimum sterility.
Test sterilization equipment, report problems, and maintain records of sterilization procedures, sterilized items, equipment maintenance, and supplies.
Wash and disinfect exam tables, dental equipment, and other patient-related items according to prescribed guidelines.
Clean and properly store cleaning tools and supplies after use.
Maintain powered cleaning equipment, including lubricating automatic scrubbers, adjusting or changing pads, installing or replacing filters, checking batteries, and emptying and rinsing machines after use.
Perform other duties as assigned.