DENTAL STERILIZATION TECHNICIAN na ANCHORAGE NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER INC

Description

The sterilization technician performs a wide variety of challenging and technical duties and is the extended hand of the dental assistant/dentist and a vital member of the dental health professional team. 

• Maintains sterile work field.
• Cleans and stocks dental operatories.
• Decontaminates and sterilizes instruments by following proper Standard Precautions while in decontamination and sterilization area.
• Properly sterilizes all dental instruments and equipment in accordance with departmental policy.
• Verifies that sterilization equipment functions properly, manages requisitions for equipment maintenance, repair, or replacement, and removes defective equipment
• Performs all opening, closing, and maintenance procedures as described in sterilization manual, as well as other duties as delegated by the Lead Dental Assistant/Dental Office Manager/Chief Dental Officer.
• Performs all maintenance procedures and logs in a thorough manner.
• Performs sterilizer monthly maintenance process by following manufacturer’s recommendation and documents them on the log.
• Performs other assigned clinic maintenance tasks and documents them.
• Performs weekly spore testing and maintains a log of the results.
• Monitors biological and chemical indicators and maintains logs.
• Has comprehensive working knowledge and general maintenance ability of all dental equipment. 
• Sterilizes and arranges instruments in a competent manner. 
• Turns exam rooms quickly while maintaining highest OSHA standards.
• Understands and maintains patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Understands and adheres to job related Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Center for Disease Control and Prevention requirements.
• Assists dentist when necessary after he/she has been signed off by the Chief Dental Officer to assist, at which point he/she may also apply for a dental assistant position if one becomes available.

• May assist or maintain inventory control when assigned.

ANHC’s Mission, Vision and Values:  Actively supports ANHC’s mission, vision and values. Includes using individual skills to add value to the mission: To be a trusted partner in every person’s wellness by providing integrated, compassionate, and high-quality health care, regardless of ability to pay; and vision: Accessible care for a healthy Anchorage. Aligns actions around organizational values of RESPECT, COMPASSION, PERSONAL INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE and COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT and gives priority to organizational mission, vision and values when making decisions.

Accountability:  Takes ownership for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad; has an ability to identify strengths and developmental opportunities and leverages insight to make adjustments to improve their effectiveness; courage to have difficult conversations.

Adapting to Change:  Accepts and adapts to change in a professionally appropriate and thoughtful manner.  Is willing to offer a different perspective or approach and yet knows when and how to stand down graciously and accept a well-thought-out decision. Embraces change.

Confidentiality: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding ANHC records and information relating to ANHC, its customers and employees. Appropriately uses internal confidential information for business purposes only. Responsible for knowledge and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).                     

Communicating Effectively:  Shares information. Listens and involves others. Clearly conveys ideas in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message.

Decision Making/Judgment:  Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively; involves others as needed; uses sound judgment in making decisions and understanding the impact to themselves, customers, their team, and the organization; conducts the appropriate analysis to identify the symptoms and root cause of issues; makes timely decisions.

Delivering High Quality Work:  Makes sure responsibilities central to the role meet all requirements and expectations. Finishes tasks promptly and critically reviews work to ensure quality and accuracy. Considers impact of work to others and takes steps to mitigate. Seeks additional work after finishing tasks.

Demonstrating Initiative: Takes action on his/her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked.

Results Orientation:  Is focused on outcomes and accomplishments; follows through on commitments; can be counted upon to successfully execute on goals; motivated by achievement and a need for closure; has an attention to detail and is both efficient and effective in achieving a high level of measurable outcomes; persists in achieving goals despite obstacles.

Service Excellence:  Has a desire to consistently provide a genuinely exceptional experience to every person, every time. Provides timely and professional service to both internal and external customers; is responsive to customer needs and requests; is always courteous to the customer and considers the needs of the customer when making decisions.

Teamwork: Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team and leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, see, talk and listen.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in a healthcare clinic and office setting.  ANHC is a tobacco-free campus.

Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Persons alleging unequal treatment should contact the Chief Human Resources Officer.

The undersigned have read this job description and agree that it defines the position as it currently exists.  The undersigned also understands that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job.  It is not to be considered as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional duties at the discretion of the supervisor.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 

Work Experience: Dental office experience preferred.

Education, Certification and Licensure: Graduation from high school or equivalent required. 

Additional Skills & Knowledge: Bilingual preferred.