Dental Sterilization Technician (DHWC)

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 ...