Dental Sterilization Technician

This position is responsible for performing duties that assist the Dental Director, Dentists, and hygienists in the care and treatment of patients.

General responsibilities

• Provides knowledgeable assistance to the treating dentist.
• Performs/conducts a variety of routine and non-routine technical procedures while providing direct chair-side assistance to the treating dentist.
• At the direction of the treating dentist, takes intra-oral and pantographic x-ray films of dental patients.
• Takes dental impressions.
• Responsible for sterilizing instruments and maintaining sterilization logs according to JCAHO requirements.
• Responsible for cleaning and routine maintenance of equipment used in procedures. Maintains organized tray set-ups for the treating dentist. Assures the sterile condition of treatment rooms.
• Assumes responsibility for initial dental laboratory needs.
• Performs required laboratory work; trims and pours diagnostic models; make custom trays, fabricates temporaries, base plates, and templates for crown and bridgework; writes laboratory prescriptions; prepares models for mailing to outside laboratory technicians.
• Orders dental supplies and materials.
• Ensures that communication with staff, patients, and external contacts occurs with courtesy, tact, and a positive attitude.
• Support Dental Assistants and other staff as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range.
• Fine hand manipulation.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May be exposed to communicable diseases.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Completion of an accredited program preferred.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters.
• Ability to evaluate the patients response to care through observation.
• Ability to professionally handle patient complaints
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
• General computer proficiency.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.