Sterilization Technician Lead

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Central Sterilization and Dispensary Supervisor, the full-time Sterilization Technician Lead (Dental Care IV) serves as a lead Dispensary Technician and functional working technician. Primary responsibilities include leading the work activities of Sterilization Technician Trainees, I, and IIs in the central sterilization unit. Individuals in the lead positions will perform sterilization inspections and audits throughout the sterilization lifecycle, and train and mentor other technicians. This position applies the principles of sterilization and sterile processing that includes, demonstrating advanced understanding of and ensuring the proper functioning of instruments and equipment and assembly of medical and surgical instruments and supplies. This position will collaborate with multiple department and school stakeholders (i.e., DDS students, residents, staff, and faculty) to support the needs of clinical operations and patients while supporting the mission, vision, and values of the school and the university. 

Positions hired at the Dental Care Assistant IV (Dispensary Technician Lead) level will be responsible for the same responsibilities as those in the Dental Care Assistant I and II (Dispensary Technician I and II) in addition to added responsibilities unique to the higher level.

We are seeking experienced dental care assistant professionals with leadership experience in a dental care environment. We welcome applications from individuals who are collaborative, communicative, caring, detail oriented, organized, proactive, able to think critically, focused on quality, dedicated to personal growth, and highly collaborative. The position is located at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus . Hours will be dependent on business need but typically will be Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00 pm. This is a clinic focused position and is an onsite position.

Key Responsibilities:

Central Sterilization Work Lead (15%)

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the unit to include scheduling, assigning work, and providing input on performance evaluations.
• Serve as an assigned trainer to new employees and/or individuals that need additional training. 

Instrument and Equipment Sterilization (40%)

• Coordinates and prioritizes sterilization responsibilities and tasks.
• Identifies when/how to adjust daily operations of the central sterilization responsibilities based on patient clinic dispensary needs.
• Monitors clinic and patient needs throughout the day and appropriately adjusts operations in order to address emergencies, cancellations, and changes in patient treatment plans.
• Monitor inventory in the dispensaries and work closely with department leadership to ensure levels are appropriate to meet daily clinic needs. Serve as the first point of contact on “real time” adjustment needs.
• Ensures that all post-sterilization inspections/audits are completed, reviewed, and accurate before submitting to department leadership. 

Instrument Assembly and Distribution (45%)

Sterilization Technician I: 

• Assemble medical and surgical instrumentation and supplies; package in accordance with sterilization procedures; generate and attach labels.
• Perform a detailed, visual inspection of instruments and equipment prior to appropriate assembly and packaging of instruments or equipment.
• Audit sterilized and complete medical and surgical instrumentation and supplies. 

*This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on department and School of Dental Medicine need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado with the School of Dental Medicine. 

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is nationally recognized for the quality of its educational programs, its interdisciplinary research and its excellent clinical care programs that contribute to the health and well-being of many of Colorado’s most underserved citizens. We are invested in creating career pathways, learning and development opportunities, and developing people infrastructures to support the workforce. 

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of experience in sterilization and sterile processing in a health care environment, which includes (2) years of experience preparing specialized dental instrument setups. Substitution: Completion of a Sterile Processing Certification program OR a Dental Assistant Certification may substitute one (1) year of experience in sterilization and sterile processing in a health care environment.
• Experience mentoring and/or training colleagues in sterilization or dispensary unit.

Condition of Employment:

• Position may be assigned weekend and/or evening shifts

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with dental instrument terminology.
• Experience working in an academic medical sterilization or dispensary centralized unit.
• Experience preparing specialized dental instrument set ups.
• Certification either as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) or as a Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD) Technician from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
• Experience in all stages of the sterilization process, including decontamination, preparation and packaging, storage and distribution.
• Obtaining CRCST/CBSPDT certification within eighteen months or ability to obtain.
• One (1) year experience mentoring and/or training colleagues in sterilization or dispensary unit.
• Demonstrated experience working in the SDM decentralized dispensaries. 

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Learn and develop knowledge and skills in job specific responsibilities.
• Effective oral/written communication skills; effective interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated professional, ethical, and professional accountability and work behaviors.
• Initiative in seeking and evaluating solutions; ability to problem solve.
• Demonstrates effective collaboration/teamwork approaches; fosters and builds inclusiveness.
• Fosters life-long learning and professional development.
• Learn and develop knowledge and skills in business applications, technologies, and resources/tools required to perform responsibilities.
• Promotes professional and ethical work standards and behaviors; cultivates standard of professionalism, integrity, ethics and employee competency.
• Learns and understands the university and SDM mission, vision, and values; aligns priorities and resources.
• Learn and develop appropriate/effective supervisory principals.
• Learn supervisory administrative responsibilities (i.e., leave and timesheet processing, performance planning and evaluations, compliance/policy interpretation and management).
• Promotes professional and ethical work standards and behaviors; cultivates standard of professionalism, integrity, ethics and employee competency.
• Learns and understands the university and SDM mission, vision, and values; aligns priorities and resources.
• Learn university financial policies, laws, and rules.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.     A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2.     Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.     Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: SDMHR at [email protected]

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by March 31, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been established as $58,683 - $68,072

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .