Health Professions Sterilization & Laboratory Technician

Position Summary

The Health Professions Sterilization & Laboratory Technician helps to ensure that patients, students, and employees of clinical laboratory facilities have minimal exposure to germs and contaminants. When assigned to dental facilities, the sterilization technician works this role focuses on preparing and distributing laboratory equipment to students for clinic and laboratory use as well as sterilizing and cleaning tools and equipment. In addition to these duties, the Health Professions Sterilization & Laboratory Technician is responsible for assisting with other instructional laboratories and assisting in the office (i.e. receiving, stocking, distributing supplies, managing inventory, answering phones, completing insurance forms, maintaining and moving former patient records, etc.) In this role: technicians may also interface directly with patients, students, and will assist faculty and assist dentists and dental hygienists.

This is an “open until filled” pool. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Typical Duties

Assists programs in the Education and Health Professions Division, including Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs. Coordinates with faculty and staff in the daily operations of the Health Programs to ensure the availability of supplies, materials, and equipment needed for laboratories; provides training to new assistants, technicians and students on clinic/laboratory and sterilization room operation and procedures. Prepares and issues materials and equipment for student use; and cleans, sterilizes, performs minor repairs to, adjusts, and maintains laboratory equipment. Ensure that the office and sterilization procedures document is on display. Follows laboratory procedures according to office protocol. Has excellent interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, staff members and community. Assists with clerical work (i.e., answering phones, scheduling patients, entering data, completing insurance forms, moving former patient records, etc.) Accurately files and maintains patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including HIPAA privacy and security regulations. Assists with arranging patient charts and radiographs. Trains and provides direction to supporting staff, and student help as assigned; operates a variety of equipment used in Dentistry. Orders, receives, and stores supplies, materials, and equipment; communicates results of tests and analyses; and prepares and maintains various records and reports related to laboratory operations, including records of storeroom expenditures and consumable materials use. Operates a computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; and maintains supply, materials, and equipment inventories and related accountability records in a health laboratory storeroom. Advises on expenditures within the assigned budget allocation; and provides data for and prepares budget estimates. Prepares instructional materials and equipment for instructor demonstrations and student use. Organize and facilitate the collection, clean up, and disposal of biohazardous or toxic chemical waste; interfaces with hazardous waste disposal vendors; adheres to state and local laws and regulations relating to health and safety, and safe storage and disposal of hazardous materials; and maintains the stockroom and laboratory in a safe, clean, and orderly condition, which includes functional checks on safety equipment such as eyewash stations, showers, fire extinguishers and hoods.

Minimum Qualifications

EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of responsible and successful work experience in a clinic/laboratory environment or Instructional laboratory setting.

EDUCATION: Completion of an associates degree in biology, chemistry or health related field OR 60 semester (90 quarter) units. NOTE: Additional clinical or applicable laboratory experience may be substituted year-for-year for the educational requirement.

Have an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, including those with physical or learning disabilities as it relates to differences in learning styles; and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.