Sterile Processing Technician 1

Department Overview

The School of Dentistry (SOD) shares the multifaceted public mission of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to achieve excellence in education, research, clinical practice and community service. OHSU SOD strives to provide the highest quality oral health care services while leading the region in oral health care education, research and technology development. The Central Sterile department fulfills this mission by ensuring the availability of safely processed instruments, equipment, and product for use in our clinical care and educational settings. 

Function/Duties of Position

The SOD Sterile Processing Technician 1 (SPT1) is part of a 21-member team that ensures a full cycle sterilization and distribution function in a fast-paced environment requiring a high degree of detail and accuracy, a certain degree of autonomy and time management skills. The SOD SPT1 performs the processing, preparation, sterilization, monitoring and distribution of instruments, supplies and equipment that require decontamination, assembly prep, packaging, and sterilization.

The SOD SPT1 must be flexible and will be deployed to different work stations throughout each day. This position includes solitary staffing work locations which requires the SOD SPT1 to be able to complete work with considerable independence and authority on a daily basis. The SOD SPT1 is responsible for knowing SOD dispensary and central sterilization policies and must be able to consistently and clearly communicate these policies to students, faculty, and staff. The SOD SPT1 will be required to practice good judgement to implement the appropriate policy or give information specific to each situation they encounter. This position provides significant time within a customer facing role and must be able to provide courteous and consistent communications and act as a resource for sterilization and distribution best practices. The SOD SPT1 will perform assignments and skills training to support upward progression within the unit but will not be required to maintain national certification nor be expected to complete advanced Central Sterile functions without supervision of a SOD SPT2 (including areas of sterilizer monitoring and load release, biological quarantines, equipment testing, recall protocols, and advanced processing functions).

Schedule for this position is M-F 9:45AM-6:15PM

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent AND
• One year work experience in any field
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, organize, complete work in a timely manner, practice attention to detail and demonstrate high productivity while working in a fast-paced environment with many interruptions, distractions and limited space
• Ability to use appropriate judgement regarding customer interaction and infection control
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision and exercise authority and flexibility to ensure best practice and business needs are met
• Ability to work well within a team environment
• Ability to accurately and proficiently enter and maintain data in computer applications/databases (Microsoft Office/Outlook/Word/Excel) and data entry/tracking software (AxiUm)
• Ability to provide excellent customer service skills including interactions with difficult individuals and situations that require diplomacy and tact
• Ability to communicate clearly, appropriately and effectively and maintain good interpersonal skills
• Ability to read, write and understand written work-related materials and oral instructions in English
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and to exercise discretion when dealing with issues of a sensitive nature
• Demonstrable record of reliable attendance, punctuality, accountability, and proven successful performance at past and present employers

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of Sterile Processing Course
• Work experience in a high-volume direct public contact position
• Experience providing sterile processing responsibilities
• Knowledge and experience using axiUm software
• Knowledge of infection control and best practices

Additional Details

Schedule for this position is M-F 9:45AM-6:15PM

Why apply to OHSU?