Environmntl Health Technician

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on activities related to the support services functions, such as dietary and food services, environmental services, general facilities, repair and maintenance, parking, sterilization and transportation to ensure all required support activities are completed in a timely manner and meet the organization's quality standards and expectations. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Environmental Services duties: Researches the environmental effects of activities to develop methods of controlling or minimizing factors contributing to environmental damage and/or improve the effectiveness of restorative activities. A technical role that accomplishes work through a specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, apprenticeship (craft, skilled and semi-skilled), and experience. An entry-level role that requires little to no prior knowledge or experience and requires vocational or technical education. Work is routine or follows standard procedures, work is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview

This performs various duties relating to medical and hazardous waste management. Segregates and categorizes medical waste according to established guidelines and operates and maintains incinerator and central autoclaves maintaining necessary logs and paperwork. Responds to infectious, cytotoxic and chemical spills for clean-up. Signs manifest for infectious waste pick-ups and coordinates paperwork according to established guidelines.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Will participate in three (3) months of on-the-job training.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Segregates and categorizes infectious waste for on-site autoclaving, on-site incineration or off-site disposal according to established guidelines. Completes required paperwork, signs manifest and places in appropriate file according to established procedures.

2. Transports waste to autoclave; loads and autoclaves waste; inspects record charts to ensure proper temperature and dwell times are achieved as defined by Department of Public Health; repeats load if necessary; and disposes of autoclaved waste.

3. Maintains records of temperature, dwell times, and volumes. Files charts noting problems encountered as well as corrective actions taken.

4. Disinfects carts and autoclave area daily or as needed.

5. Picks up and delivers sharps container throughout the facility following all safety protocols outlined in the procedure manual.

6. Transports infectious waste, animal carcasses and autopsy waste to incinerator; weighs waste; preheats and inspects unit; loads incinerator; sets timer and reloads as necessary. Ensures burners are working and temperature is achieved. Contacts maintenance for necessary repairs.

7. Inspects and cleans incinerator. Removes ashes and transports to designated dumpster for disposal.

8. Collects and transports cytotoxic drug waste containers to collection area and packs according to established guidelines maintaining required paperwork.

9. Carries page and responds to biological, cytotoxic and mercury spills during the course of scheduled shift hours. Responds to chemical spills and assists in clean-up activities as described in chemical spill response procedure. Responds to mercury and cytotoxic drugs spills in patient areas following established procedures.

10. Maintains all respiratory personal protective equipment after each use including inspecting, disinfecting and proper storage.

11. Ensures supply areas are neat and organized and maintains established par levels of inventory supplies. Notifies main office when reordering is necessary. Picks up and delivers supplies to designated areas.

Physical Requirements:

1. Exposure to dust, heat, slippery surfaces, and unpleasant odors. Using protective attire works with medical waste including body parts and laboratory waste, blood, and hazardous chemical waste.

2. Occasional possibility of cuts, bruises, sprains, puncture wounds or accidental contact with various hazardous waste, which could cause serious injury and/or death if safety protocols are not followed.

3. Contact with physicians, nurses, laboratory staff, service staff, vendors, state and federal inspectors, patients, and the general public.

4. Physical ability to stand, walk and bend the majority of the shift. Physical ability to lift medium weight (60 lbs.) and push 250 lbs. on wheels (40% of the shift). Ability to pass physicals exam to wear full face negative pressure air purifying respirators.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Ability to follow complex instructions and to maintain required paperwork.

2. Knowledge of local, state and federal requirements for working with medical waste.

3. Ability to operate complicated mechanical devices such as autoclave, incinerator and miscellaneous devices.