Sterilization Technician Trainee (HCS Trainee I)

University of Colorado Anschutz, School of Dental Medicine – Dental Clinic Support Services

About the role

The Sterilization Technician Trainee supports clinical operations for the entire School of Dental Medicine (SDM). This position is integral to dental education clinical operations, focusing on sterilization and sterile processing with opportunities for training and career growth in the healthcare industry.

Responsibilities

• Instrument and Equipment Sterilization – 85% (Essential Function)
  • Perform cleaning and decontamination of all instruments and equipment according to established procedures and techniques.
  • Ensure proper cleaning of sanitizing machines and related equipment.
  • Sterilize instruments and maintain adequate levels of sterilized items for distribution.
  • Inventory cassettes and instruments for precise disbursement to operatories and clinical units.
  • Monitor the sterilization cycle to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
  • Conduct routine checks to ensure all equipment is functioning properly.
  • Report and document malfunctions or needed repairs to maintain operational standards.
  • Perform minor repairs or adjustments to sanitizing machines as required.
  • Oversee the collection of used instruments and equipment to initiate the sterilization process.
  • Maintain accurate records of collected items to support tracking and compliance.
  • Coordinate with staff to ensure timely and efficient collection practices.
• Instrument Distribution – 15% (Essential Function)
  • Prepare specialized instrument set-ups for use by undergraduate students, residents, and faculty.
  • Collaborate with academic and clinical staff to identify specific set-up needs.
  • Ensure that specialized instruments are sterilized and ready for patient treatment sessions.
  • Issue sterile reusable instruments to operatories and clinical units.
  • Collect and resterilize used instruments.

Work Location

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado.

Benefits

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement Plans: State pension (PERA Defined Benefit) or 401(a) – Employer contributes between 10% and 21.5% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off:
  • Vacation Days: Between 12/year and 24/year (maximum accrual between 192 hours and 384 hours) – specific amount depends on length of total State of Colorado service
  • Sick Days: 10/year (360 hour maximum accrual)
  • Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

Additional perks and programs are available with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Please make sure to include the following in your resume: job title, duties, months and years employed, and average hours worked per week as minimum experience is calculated on a 40 hour/week basis.

• Minimum Qualifications: None
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience with dental instrument terminology.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position now or in the future.
• Ability to work morning or afternoon shifts as needed.
• Ability to work on different floors, as needed.
• Colorado law requires that candidates for state government jobs be residents of Colorado at the time of application.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication (written and verbal); ability to interact with sterilization staff and supervisor on a daily basis to meet the demands of clinical and educational operations.
• In-depth understanding and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in proper decontamination, sterilization, and instrument preparation.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $3,294 - $3,862 per month. This position is eligible for overtime compensation. The pay may be set at a higher amount if you have prior state-classified service in the same class series per the state Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024.