What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sterilization Technician position at NEW Health?
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? NEW Health, a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving our community, seeks an entry-level Sterilization Technician for a temporary part-time position. Join us for a temporary on-the-job training employment opportunity to explore new skills, gain valuable experience, and discover potential career paths in a dynamic work environment.
Committed to bringing healthcare into communities and communities into healthcare since 1978, NEW Health is rural Northeast Washingtons leading non-profit primary care provider. We treat all patients with the respect they deserve while providing high-quality, integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services.
NEW Health has been named one of the best places to work in the Inland Northwest! This award from the Spokane Journal of Business is based on an analysis of our company policies, along with a confidential employee survey to evaluate workplace experience in the areas of engagement and satisfaction, including Work-Life Balance, Role Satisfaction, Communication, and Workplace Culture, Training, and Technology and Development.
Our workforce development program, NEW Health University, is nationally recognized for developing local career pathway training to retain rural youth.
Your Career Pathway with NEW Health
We create pathways for career growth within NEW Health. To support this, we provide all employees with monthly paid training and additionally offer tuition reimbursement and one-on-one career planning. There are many paths to grow your career within NEW Health; here are some examples:
Front Desk -> Community Health Worker-> Medical Assistant Apprentice -> Certified Medical Assistant -> Assistant Operations Manager-> Clinic Operations Manager
Sterilization Tech -> Dental Assistant Trainee -> Dental Assistant -> Assistant Operations Manager ->
Pharmacy Assistant -> Pharmacy Technician Trainee -> Pharmacy Technician
IT Helpdesk Intern > Helpdesk Level 1 - > Helpdesk Level 2 -> Helpdesk Level 3 ->Helpdesk Manager
Purpose of the job: Improve the overall health of the communities we serve by assisting dental staff in sterilizing all clinic instruments and supplies in the provision of clinical dental care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Demonstrates a strong knowledge base of infection control and sterilization procedures.
Anticipates and prepares equipment and instruments needed for various procedures ahead of time.
Ensures lab slips are stocked with ample supply.
Maintains cleanliness and orderliness of lab area, daily.
Cleans and disinfects treatment room immediately after vacated to ensure prompt turnover.
Clean, sterilizes and organizes instruments and supplies.
Assists Dental Hygienist in charting and sterilization of instruments as instructed.
Sets up trays accurately by procedure.
Cleans and maintains sterilization equipment and performs spore tests at least weekly.
Periodic testing and maintenance of equipment including updating the equipment log.
Maintain inventory and inventory log.
Work closely with the Dental Assistants to create efficient workflows.
Observes and follows required safety protocols, including handling and disposal of sharps, use of personal protective equipment, exposure to blood-borne pathogens, and general safety of employees and patients.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Travel required
Education/Experience: High School education or GED required;
Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Computer skills are required. Strong organizational skills and self-motivation are required. Desire to develop a healthcare-related career preferred.
Physical Demands:
Sterilization Technicians are required to stand 1/3rd to 2/3rd of the day; while sitting, and being mobile are required 1/3rd to 2/3rd of the time. They are required to use hands to finger, handle or feel over 2/3rd of the time, as well as reach with hands and arms. Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling or crouching occurs less than 1/3rd of the time. Communicating by talking/ hearing occurs over 2/3rd of the day. Smelling occurs between 1/3rd and 2/3rd of the day. Amount of time spent lifting or exerting force is about 50% for up to 10lbs and less than 1/3rd of the time up to 25lbs. Rarely is there a need to lift more than 26lbs.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
