Central Sterilization Supervisor (CSS)

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). 

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

This position will remain open until filled, however applications will be reviewed beginning September 21, 2023.

Location - North Campus Edmonton. This role is in-person.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department/Faculty 

The School of Dentistry is looking for a motivated Central Sterilization Supervisor (CSS),interested in opportunities to join a dynamic team, supporting excellence in education and patient care.

Working under the supervision of the Materials Management Supervisor the Central Sterilization Supervisor (CSS) is responsible for the School of Dentistry’s Central Sterilization (CS) unit. This position oversees the sterilization of all the School of Dentistry, Oral Health Clinic’s (SoD OHC) instrumentation while adhering to infection prevention and control protocols (IPC), inventory management and the assignment of work station schedules, organizational leadership, motivation, and coordination of activities for the Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians (MDRT) to ensure the provision of quality services and effective team performance within the School of Dentistry’s protocols.

Position

The CSS works in a fast-paced environment and has a high level of contact with the dentistry and dental hygiene students, support staff, and other supervisors. This position requires a vast knowledge of medical device reprocessing, dental equipment, supply management operations, inventory control, sterilization record retention and precise database records which would include but is not limited to, slates, cassette documentation, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and the ability to develop and apply established policies, short/long term range plans into the day-to-day operational requirements within CS, optimizing the sterile processing workflow, and identifying avenues to improve efficiency while ensuring quality control of the processing of dental instrumentation while following best practices and maintaining a safe and professional work environment so the MDRT Team can effectively meet the operational needs of the SoD’s OHC while maintaining the highest standards of infection control. 

The CSS will maintain a professional working relationship with all clinic supervisors and the Materials Management Supervisor to ensure that CS is meeting its operational needs by maintaining knowledge and understanding of activities and projects within those areas. 

The CSS collaborates with the Materials Management Supervisor as well as the IPC Officer and/or Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Coordinator, to establish, implement, carry out any training and staff updates, and maintain SOP’s, address/identify health & safety and environmental issues, ensuring that guidelines, institutional policies and procedures are implemented and followed by the MDRT team. 

The CSS ensures, along with the MDRT team, that all equipment and instrumentation is ready for each clinical session for all School of Dentistry programs which includes both undergraduate and graduate - Continuing Dental Education, Orthodontics, Oral Medicine, GPR, Oral Surgery, Periodontal Grad, Dentistry and Dental Hygiene including peer clinics within the allotted scheduled turnaround time based on clinic operations 

This position actively assists and supports CS and the MDRT team.The CSS must remain current in functioning as an MDRTandprovide coverage during high-volume periodsand for staff absences, which may include potential evening shifts. 

Working hours areestablished on the same principle to guarantee a supervisor is availability during the MDRT rotational shifts. The typical shift is scheduled from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, but subject to adjustment in response to operational requirements.

Duties

Administrative/Human Resource Responsibilities 

Responsible for the day-to-day operations in Central Sterilization (CS) – directs the work of staff and monitors the accuracy of the workflow and projects. 

• Assesses status of workflows and sets priorities for the day/week 
• Assigns tasks and stations to team members 
• Receives new instrumentation/equipment, reviews manufacturer’s instructions, creates cassette reference documentation Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and implementation strategies for updating protocols
  
• Maintains current WHMIS protocols 
• Ensures that regulations and protocols are implemented and followed
  
• Responsible for the student mailbox key inventory; responsible for key security and inventory of keys assigned to each student; ensures keys are logged in/signed out 
• Extracts data from software programs used in daily operations to provide reports. 
• Develops Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for CS. 
• Monitors Shared Resource Unit (SRU) financial information
  

Responsible for CS staffing including recruitment, scheduling, performance appraisals and performance management. 

• Creates staff assignment schedules – structures work hours and assignments in order to meet department operating requirements while optimization workflows and staffing ensuring provision of quality services and effective team performance 
• In coordination with the Materials Management Supervisor, the CSS effectively monitors the team’s diverse activities ensuring that they are provided with the tools and training to successfully perform their CS duties, this will include, but is not limited to training of staff or changing equipment requirements.
  
• Coordinates CS orientation & clinical experience rotations with visitors, students and participants of Continuing Dental Education (CDE) programs.
  
• Demonstrates proper procedures and how the equipment works to various people interested in the equipment 
• Ensures compliance with Health, Safety and Environment policies and protocols
  
• Follows procedures already in place as well as integrates and optimizes new procedures as necessary given the objective of the current project 

Sterilization of Dental Instrumentation and Equipment 

• Supports CS and stays current in practice operating as an MDRT during peak volume times and provides coverage for absences 
• Selects and uses appropriate cleaning methods 
• Sorts, disassembles, cleans and disinfects trays, instruments, carts, supplies and equipment
  
• Loads, operates and maintains cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing equipment utilizing proper aseptic technique 
• Performs standard tests (Bowie dick, leak test, Biological integrators) to monitor the effectiveness of sterilization procedures and documents the appropriate information. 
• Stores and rotates sterilized items as per defined protocol 
• Participates in the maintenance of central sterilization SOP’s, 
• Department (in-house) Cleaning 
• Decontamination - Sterilization; cleaning, inspecting, packaging, and sterilization of dental instrumentation 
• Manufacturer’s Documentation 
• Is knowledgeable and skilled in the use and maintenance of all central sterilization equipment including, but not limited to instrument and cart washers, instrument tracking systems, handpiece maintenance systems and sterilizers and ensures equipment is operating and maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions in coordination with the Dental Equipment Technicians 
• Checks to ensure that the external and internal (when possible) steam verification devices have passed ( e.g. Steam indicator tape/ class 4 steam integrators on pouch/ class 5 integrators in pouches) 
• Utilizes axiUm sterilization module to record and document each item being sterilized 
• Accurately distribute the items to each program and/or student ensuring that the appropriate areas receive the supplies needed 
• Moves carts as required between the Dispensaries, Central Sterilization and Material Management units. 
• Maintains an effective inventory control system for equipment and supplies 
• Participates in student/guest orientation and/or demonstration as needed
  
• Prepares and submits reports detailing IPC breaches and compliance as required 
• Maintains currency and follows all standards with School of Dentistry policies, Infection Prevention and Control protocols (IPC), as well as the adoption of current Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) and Alberta Health Services (AHS), College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA), and The Alberta College of Dental Hygienists (ACDH), Health Canada and other regulatory organizations as applicable to the School of Dentistry 
• Acts as an example of infection prevention control (IPC)-related best practices
  
• Participates in risk management assessments as required 
• Assists with outbreak management when required 

Materials Management 

• Selects and replenishes supplies on a regular basis, and monitors quota levels and changes in demand levels. 
• Places orders using the inventory control system. 
• Reports problems regarding availability of instruments for operational requirements 
• Ensures compliance with lost and damaged instrumentation protocols 

Equipment Maintenance 

• Ensures equipment is operated and maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions in coordination with the Dental Equipment Technicians 
• Promotes proper aseptic technique, proper cleaning and maintenance of all equipment 
• Reports equipment damage or malfunctions to the Dental Equipment Technicians and promotes staff reporting equipment repairs in a timely manner

Minimum Qualifications

• Post-secondary certificate in Medical Device Reprocessing or similar related field 
• Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (CMDRT) preferred 
• 3 years supervisory experience
  
• Demonstrated proficiency in operation of specialized sterilization equipment 
• Familiarity with dental Instrumentation and equipment is an asset 
• Inventory/supply management experience – experience with inventory management software; AxiUm dental software familiarity preferred – ability to track inventory and create reports 
• Expertise with Infection prevention & control (IPC), standard precautions, biohazard, infection control and sterilization procedures (critical/semi critical) 
• Application of CSA, CDSA, AHS, CDC standards and protocols
  
• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships and ability to interact and collaborate effectively within a dynamic team-based environment 
• Well-developed planning and organizational skills; ability to meet deadlines, multi-task and manage competing priorities 
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and perform tasks accurately with attention to detail 
• Computer proficiency in MS office applications and/or Google mail and Google Suite - required 
• Computer proficiency in specialized dental software - an asset 
• Fluent in speaking, reading, comprehending and writing English 
• Experience in the training of adults – writing and presentation skills

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.