Role Overview & Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Sterilization Technician supports clinical operations by cleaning, disinfecting, assembling, packaging, and sterilizing dental instruments according to established standards. This role ensures proper handling of equipment, maintains sterilization records, and follows all safety and confidentiality requirements to support high-quality patient care.

Scope and Impact

This position ensures the reliability, cleanliness, and safety of all dental instruments used in patient care. Work directly impacts infection control, regulatory compliance, and the smooth operation of clinical services.

Decision-Making Authority

Operates independently within established sterilization protocols, safety procedures, and equipment guidelines. Identifies equipment issues, performs minor repairs, and escalates concerns beyond scope to supervisors.

Interactions / Working Relationships

Interacts with dental staff, clinic personnel, and occasionally patients while managing instrument flow. Collaborates closely with clinical teams to ensure timely availability of sterile instruments and supplies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains patient confidentiality and complies with federal and state health information privacy laws (5%)
• Cleans, disinfects, assembles, and packages dental instruments for sterilization (25%)
• Receives contaminated instruments and processes them according to infection control standards (15%)
• Recognizes and reports imperfections such as wear, damage, or malfunctioning equipment (5%)
• Performs minor adjustments or repairs including flushing blocked hoses (5%)
• Maintains sterilization equipment following manufacturer guidelines (10%)
• Replenishes instrument and supply inventories to ensure efficient workflow (5%)
• Tracks and logs sterilization cycles and monitors process accuracy (10%)
• Identifies when instruments are properly sterilized and safe for clinical use (5%)
• Performs spore testing and maintains spore test logs in compliance with regulatory expectations (8%)
• Performs other duties as assigned (7%)

Supervisory or Leadership Responsibilities

This position does not supervise others.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Licenses/Certifications: None required
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years' experience in sterilization or related field
• Other Required Skills/Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of dental instruments and sterilization procedures
  • Ability to identify equipment defects
  • Ability to follow standardized processes and safety protocols

Preferred Qualifications

• Sterilization Technician Certification
• Experience with dental or medical sterilization environments

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Understanding of sterilization procedures and infection control
• Attention to detail and ability to detect imperfections
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Basic troubleshooting and equipment maintenance
• Strong organization and documentation skills
• Effective communication in one-on-one and small group settings

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents, write basic correspondence, and communicate effectively with staff, patients, and small groups. Fluent in English; bilingual abilities welcomed but not required.

Technology and Tools

• Internet navigation
• Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Sterilization equipment and monitoring systems

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work Setting: Medical office environment with direct patient and staff interaction
• Physical Demands:
  • Bending, stooping, twisting, turning, climbing step stools
  • Walking, sitting, and standing for periods of time
  • Ability to lift and maneuver 25 pounds
• Safety: Exposure to clinical instruments and sterilization equipment; required use of PPE