Sterilizer

Willamette Dental Group; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) with 5% match

Life insurance

Commuter benefits

PTO 120 hours + 7 holidays

Job summary

Willamette Dental Group is seeking a Sterilization Technician in Tacoma to support the clinical team by reprocessing, cleaning, and maintaining sterile instruments and equipment. The role emphasizes patient and staff safety with strict PPE adherence.

The position is full-time (30 hours) with an expected hourly range of $24.00 to $29.00, and may involve travel to other WD locations. Prior HIPAA knowledge and healthcare experience are beneficial, along with BLS certification requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Post-secondary coursework desirable or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Healthcare experience desirable, HIPAA knowledge beneficial.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers is listed as a certification requirement.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and organized sterilization area.
• Sterilize dental instruments and equipment per manufacturer directions.
• Transport, package, and wrap cassettes for sterilization.
• Properly dispose of biohazardous material.
• Perform routine maintenance on sterilization equipment daily/weekly/monthly.
• Maintain dental handpieces including cleaning and lubrication.
• Record weekly biological spore testing per company policy.
• Monitor sterilizers with SICC coordination and upload logs.
• Log class 5 integrator testing for compliance tracking.
• Notify managers within 24 hours of repairs needed.
• Report health and safety incidents immediately.
• Stay updated with Health and Safety policies.
• Attend monthly Safety and Infection Control Coordinator training.
• Assist with Health and Safety policy updates.
• Assist team in cleaning and disinfecting operatories.
• Adhere to PPE policy (gloves, masks, eye protection).
• Travel to other WD locations as needed.
• Maintain reliable attendance.

Skills

HIPAA compliance

PPE compliance

Safety awareness

Recordkeeping

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

Post-secondary coursework

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Location:Tacoma Practice
Position Type:Full-Time (30 Hours)
Schedule:3-10 Hour Shifts
Expected Hiring Range:$24.00 to $29.00 per Hour

Position Summary

With an emphasis on patient and staff safety, the sterilization tech will support the clinical team byreprocessing, cleaning, maintaining, and ensuring sterility of dental instruments and equipment.

Essential Position Functions

• Maintain a clean and organized sterilization area.
• Sterilize all dental instruments and equipment according to manufacturer directions in a timelyfashion.
• Transport, package, and/or wrap cassettes as needed for sterilization.
• Properly dispose of biohazardous material.
• Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance is performed on all sterilization equipment.
• Perform maintenance on dental handpieces, which may include attaching and detaching adaptorsto maintenance equipment, as well as taking handpieces apart for cleaning and lubrication.
• Process and maintain record of weekly biological spore testing per company policy.
• Complete weekly biological monitoring for each sterilizer within the office in partnership with theSafety & Infection Control Coordinator (SICC).
• Process class 5 integrator testing, record, and upload logs for compliance tracking.
• Notify Practice Manager, Managing Dentist, SICC or Lead with any repair needs in relation tosterilization equipment within 24 hours.
• Report any health and safety incidents including sterilization breaches to Practice Manager,Managing Dentist, SICC or Lead immediately.
• Report issues related to employee safety to Practice Manager or Managing Dentist.
• Stay up to date with Health and Safety policies pertaining to clinicians.
• Attend monthly Safety and Infection Control Coordinator training webinars per relevant contentper Practice Manager.
• Assist with implementation of any Health and Safety updates, requirements, and changes within the sterilization area.
• Assist dental team in cleaning and disinfecting operatories.
• Strict adherence to WD’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy that includes wearing protective clothing, gloves (exam or utility gloves as appropriate), surgical mask and/or respirator, face shield, and eyewear as required by OSHA and internal WD policies.
• Flexibility to travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range as described in our Travel Policy as needed based on business need.
• Reliable and predictable attendance is essential. Willamette Dental cannot efficiently provide services to our members and patients without our employees being at work at their scheduled work time.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED required. Post-secondary coursework is desirable OR an equivalentcombination of education and experience, which will provide the ability to perform the essential functionsof the position, Medical/dental clinic or healthcare experience highly desirable, including strong knowledgeof HIPAA compliance procedures.

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations

• Holds appropriate credentials per state regulations.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
• In Washington – Registered Dental Assistant at hire.

Compensation

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to education, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity.

This position is also eligible for incentive pay in accordance with the terms of the Company’s plan.

Company Benefits

• medical
• dental and vision insurance
• tuition reimbursement
• flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match
• accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• life insurance
• voluntary disability insurance
• commuter benefits
• two complimentary pairs of Fig scrubs (clinical roles)
• employee assistance program

Paid Time Off (PTO): Eligible employees will accrue a minimum of 120 PTO hours per employment year in addition to seven paid holidays annually. The Company’s PTO program combines vacation and sick leave, which is more generous than Washington State’s Sick Leave Law. Employees in part‑time roles working less than 40 hours per week will accrue PTO on a pro‑rated basis.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed while sitting and/or standing, but will require occasional walking, bending, stooping and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and other standard office equipment to complete tasks.

Willamette Dental is an equal opportunity employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to an individual’s race (including physical characteristics historically associated with race), religion, color, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy‑related condition, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

This job description is not meant to be an all‑inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company.

This position may be exposed to PHI in the course of his/her duties, and will handle protected information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Note: We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for qualified applicants/employees to perform essential job functions.