Central Sterilization Technician (Dental Center)

Department: Dental Center
Reports To: Dental Center Dental Assistant Supervisor

Pay

Salary range as established by contract (annualized $62,892.29 as new hire). Additional $2,000 annually for required Spanish fluency.

Schedule

35 hours per week. Schedule will include Saturdays.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health package including medical, dental, and vision coverage with no employee contribution to the premium
• Pension benefit with monthly employer contributions
• Retirement benefit with 4% 401K employer contributions
• Professional coverage/reimbursement: continuing education (CE) reimbursement, malpractice coverage, and uniform allowance
• Paid time off including vacation, personal, CE, and sick days
• Up to 11 federal paid holidays

About the role

The CST provides full support to the successful operations of the Dental Center by maintaining and sterilizing all instruments used in patient care and treatment. This role requires full knowledge and experience with sterilization equipment and instrument procedure systems.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate and sterilize instruments and dental supplies following proper sterilization standards
• Assemble, sterilize, wrap, and seal trays of instruments following proper sterilization standards
• Monitor biological and chemical wash solutions to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and equipment
• Sort and categorize instruments according to procedures, ensuring instrument trays are correct and complete
• Maintain proper storage of instruments, displaying sterilization wrapping dates, and ensuring all trays available for use are within timeframe standards
• Assist with ordering, replacement, and inventory control of all instruments, supplies, and materials to meet correct levels and standards
• Maintain biomedical inspection review and reports, displaying all bio-hazard inspection stickers as required
• Provide weekly review of sterilization equipment, ensuring calibrations are up to date and equipment is in full compliance
• Maintain log and tagging systems to ensure proper tracking and return of instruments to correct storage areas
• Perform and log BD and Spore testing as necessary, report failures immediately, and collect all instruments processed during failed cycles

Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Successfully completed Central Sterile Service Program with certificate accredited by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM)
• Certification from IAHCSMM

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• High reasoning ability

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in surroundings with dust, noise, etc., without undue discomfort
• Ability to hear, talk, walk, stand, bend, and stretch
• Ability to read, write, and interpret documents
• Ability to sit for long periods at a desk
• Ability to stand for long periods in procedural or sterilization areas
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and/or co-workers
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, radiant, explosive, burn, and chemical hazards
• May be required to handle, dispose of, and/or identify hazardous waste and materials
• May be required to operate and clean equipment
• May be required to work both indoors and outdoors under extreme temperatures
• May be required to handle reasonably heavy weights across distances
• Must be trained in and knowledgeable of all IFH policies and procedures pertaining to hazardous waste and materials
• Duties routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid, and tissue