Sterile Processing Technician 1

Department Overview

OHSU’s focus on healing, teaching, and discovery combined with our deep history in Oregon is unique. We are the state’s only academic health center and one of the only universities in the U.S. devoted exclusively to educating doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and public health professionals. At OHSU’s School of Dentistry, we strive to make an impact in our community by delivering excellence in our dental care facilities, utilizing cutting-edge technologies while enhancing the knowledge of our inclusive dental professionals and leaders. We value each and every one of our professionals by providing a welcoming work environment and industry leading benefits.

 

GENEROUS BENEFIT PACKAGE:

• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision care plans. Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Retirement: Choose between pension plan or employee matching voluntary savings plan
• Vacation - Up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
• Sick Leave - Up to 96 hours per year
• 8 paid holidays per year
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Cutting edge Wellness Platform
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Discounts  

Our department’s working locations are nestled in Portland's beautiful South Waterfront making it a convenient location to commute to. Our Skourtes Tower facility in the Robertson Life Sciences Building houses both our School of Dentistry and our patient clinics, providing sweeping views of the city and an unmatched setting for education, research, and exemplary oral health care.

 

To learn more about the School of Dentistry click on the link below:

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-dentistry 

Function/Duties of Position

The School of Dentistry (SOD) shares the multifaceted public mission of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to achieve excellence in education, research, clinical practice and community service. OHSU SOD strives to provide the highest quality oral health care services while leading the region in oral health care education, research and technology development. The Central Sterile department fulfills this mission by ensuring the availability of safely processed instruments, equipment, and product for use in our clinical care and educational settings.

The SOD Sterile Processing Technician 1 (SPT1) is part of a 21-member team that ensures a full cycle sterilization and distribution function in a fast-paced environment requiring a high degree of detail and accuracy, a certain degree of autonomy and time management skills. The SOD SPT1 performs the processing, preparation, sterilization, monitoring and distribution of instruments, supplies and equipment that require decontamination, assembly prep, packaging, and sterilization.

The SOD SPT1 must be flexible and will be deployed to different work stations throughout each day. This position includes solitary staffing work locations which requires the SOD SPT1 to be able to complete work with considerable independence and authority on a daily basis. The SOD SPT1 is responsible for knowing SOD dispensary and central sterilization policies and must be able to consistently and clearly communicate these policies to students, faculty, and staff. The SOD SPT1 will be required to practice good judgement to implement the appropriate policy or give information specific to each situation they encounter. This position provides significant time within a customer facing role and must be able to provide courteous and consistent communications and act as a resource for sterilization and distribution best practices. The SOD SPT1 will perform assignments and skills training to support upward progression within the unit but will not be required to maintain national certification nor be expected to complete advanced Central Sterile functions without supervision of a SOD SPT2 (including areas of sterilizer monitoring and load release, biological quarantines, equipment testing, recall protocols, and advanced processing functions).

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent  AND 
• One year of work experience in any field
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, organize, complete work in a timely manner, practice attention to detail and demonstrate high productivity while working in a fast-paced environment with many interruptions, distractions and limited space
• Ability to use appropriate judgement regarding customer interaction and infection control
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision and exercise authority and flexibility to ensure best practice and business needs are met
• Ability to work well within a team environment
• Ability to accurately and proficiently enter and maintain data in computer applications/databases (Microsoft Office/Outlook/Word/Excel) and data entry/tracking software (AxiUm)
• Ability to provide excellent customer service skills including interactions with difficult individuals and situations that require diplomacy and tact
• Ability to communicate clearly, appropriately and effectively and maintain good interpersonal skills
• Ability to read, write and understand written work-related materials and oral instructions in English
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and to exercise discretion when dealing with issues of a sensitive nature
• Demonstrable record of reliable attendance, punctuality, accountability, and proven successful performance at past and present employers

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of Sterile Processing Course
• Work experience in a high-volume direct public contact position
• Experience providing sterile processing responsibilities  
• Knowledge and experience using axiUm software 
• Knowledge of infection control and best practices
• CSPDT with CBSPD or CRCST with IAHCSMM

Additional Details

Working conditions:

• Incumbent will handle sharp edged/tipped instruments which impose the risk of puncture or laceration wound injury
• Risk of exposure to harmful microorganisms through a puncture wound while handling contaminated sharps and human tissues/fluids
• Repetitive lifting/pushing/pulling/moving of instrument sets and equipment can cause muscle and disk injury
• Work with sinks and washing equipment create increased risk of wet floors and the associated potential for slip and fall hazards
• Risk of severe burns from contact with steam and hot surfaces generated by dry heat, gravity, and prevac sterilizers and thermal washer
• Work with detergents, disinfectants, enzymes, germicides and sterilant chemical products that can cause respiratory and skin irritation and pose other health risks due to toxic or carcinogenic nature
• Working near equipment or while PPE is donned can increase worker’s warmth
• Equipment and working floor can induce loud working environment
• Potential changes in reporting time, work schedule, and/or work location during modified operations and/or to meet business needs
• May work weekends (including mandated WREB and Sealant days)
• Travel thru patient care and educational areas to provide relief coverage within department and/or during the transport of carts, bins, equipment and instrumentation

Physical demands & equipment usage:

• Ability to push/pull/lift 50+ pounds and to carry 30 pounds
• Ability to stoop, turn, bend, squat, kneel, and to reach above shoulders and below knees
• Ability to stand and walk for extended and constant periods of time throughout shift
• Ability to perform repetitive motions for prolonged periods
• Ability to correct hearing and vision to create a safe working environment
• Ability to accurately discern color as necessary to perform job functions
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required for safety
• Ability to maintain good hygiene for patient and personal safety
• Ability to operate computers and job-related equipment
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu. As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.