Biohazard Waste Disposal Tech

A strong internal candidate has been identified.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Biohazard Waste Disposal Technician is responsible for collecting autoclaved Infectious Waste from assigned laboratories and properly packing and storing waste to be removed from campus for disposal. The position also involves boxing and separating material considered highly hazardous for shipment to a remote location. Custodial Services strives to provide high quality, customer service oriented cleaning services to the university community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Safely operate university vehicle on assigned route to visit various collection points across the campus to gather properly treated hazardous or infectious waste materials and properly sealed sharps containers from labs to transport collected infectious and hazardous waste to the secure biowaste storage rooms where it is to be stored and processed for shipment by vendor to be incinerated. (45%)

2. Prepare the collected hazardous infectious waste by boxing hazardous waste, properly labeling shipping containers, securing shipping containers, and neatly stacking shipping containers so that there is no chance of them falling over and spilling contents. (30%)

3. Maintain the three storage rooms to keep them neat and clean. Cleaning and disinfecting carts after collecting and emptying them of hazardous waste and the preparing of the hazardous waste. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS
1. Check daily Asset Essentials work order system for any pickups that may have been requested. Before handling, ensure that sharps containers are sealed and meet university specifications. Observe that red bags are properly sealed, autoclaved, and that no obvious liquids or sharps have been placed in them. If any problems are encountered, report them to Environmental Services and follow all relevant university procedures. (5%)

2. Required to cleanup biohazard waste spills throughout campus and therefore must have hepatitis (B) shots before they can handle blood borne pathogens. They must also have been trained to handle an infectious spill for bloodborne pathogens. Ensure that all university safety procedures are followed. Use appropriate safety gear; use caution when using chemicals for
cleaning and disinfecting and operating electrical equipment; immediately report any accidents and injuries to supervisor. (4%)

 3. During the course of the daily work shift, report any hazardous quality control issues or problems identified to the Supervisor and/or Environmental Health Services Specialist, and if possible, make appropriate recommendations to solve the matter. Communicate daily with supervisor to report achievements, progress and problems. Actively seek out and suggest improvements to operations. (3%)

4. Recognize when assistance, training, and direction are needed so that work objectives are accomplished in a safe, complete, efficient, and timely manner. Alert the supervisor to these situations and assist as needed. (3%)

5. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Communicate daily with supervisor to report achievements, progress and problems. Daily contact with department staff and building occupants, including faculty, staff and students.

University: Occasional contact with maintenance and security staff

External: Occasional contact with waste vendor, EPA and government officials.

Student: Daily contact with students at all levels.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: None
Education/licensing: High school education required. Ohio Commercial Driver's License free of significant violations.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Must be able to safely drive a large pickup truck.
2. Must be able to read, write and speak English.
3. Must be able to perform simple mathematics.
4. Must have a current Hepatitis-B inoculation. Other immunizations may be required in the future depending on regulatory requirements.
5. Required to be able to lift up to 60lbs.
6. Experience with hazardous materials typical to the institution and related safety equipment and procedures preferred.
7. Properly trained or can be trained to package and ship Infectious Wastes
8. Must have good organizing skills to maintain storage rooms neatly
9. Must have some basic computer skills to check work order system daily and to close out any completed work orders
10. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
11. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors during all types of weather. Must work with cleaning chemicals and tools required for cleanup of hazardous materials. Exposure to human body fluids or body parts, infectious or medical wastes. Moderate noise level. Frequent lifting up to 60 lbs. Carrying, walking, standing, bending, stooping, stretching and climbing are required in the performance of job duties. Must be able to pass required physical examination. Wearing personal protective equipment is required during the performance of duties. Position is on call for emergency clean-ups 24/7.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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