Hazardous Waste Technician

Under the supervision of the Environmental Compliance Manager, this position follows all federal, state and local regulations when removing hazardous waste. This position maintains records of their daily activities to ensure that all pharmaceutical, hazardous (including acute), and Category A waste is appropriately tracked, accounted for and disposed of throughout the health system

The Hazardous Waste Technician must adhere to the strict regulations of a Large Quality Generator. The incumbent must ensure they are up to date with all training and certifications requirements. In addition, this position must be able to identify hazardous materials, and waste while following safety and regulatory procedures regarding storage, transport, packaging and labeling. In case of an accident, the Hazardous Waste Technician must ensure the safety of patients; visitors etc. and prevent the spread of any hazardous materials.

Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to;

 -Identifies all regulated wastes, and ensures segregation is happening at the point of generation

-Escalates any improperly segregated waste 

- Inspects and monitors Satellite Accumulation Areas and Central Storage Areas for corrective action, which may include the following: Floor coatings, cracks, labeling of containers, proper storage of incompatible hazardous waste, and containers that holds hazardous waste are properly closed.

- Transports hazardous waste to the appropriate designated location

-Adheres to all safety precautions when handling, and transporting hazardous waste

- Functions as the internal expert on all regulated waste streams

-Calculates the amount of acute hazardous and hazardous waste to ensure they do not exceed regulated amounts in the satellite storage areas

-Monitors and ensures regulatory shipment windows are met and hazardous wastes do not exceed 90days in central storage areas 

-Oversees and maintains storage areas in a safe, organized, clean, secure and effective manner

-Coordinates with the Environmental Compliance Manager, clinical staff, and security to remediate safety or compliance concerns

-Assists in maintaining an acceptable level of inventory, waste containers, barcodes and consumables

-Assists in the removal of Regulated Medical Waste as needed

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Ability to push and/or pull non-motorized equipment (e.g., towline, plastic, tipsters, etc) weighing over 50 pounds.

2. Understands infection control policies as they apply to waste management.

3. Work requires the use of protective safety devices including, but not limited to, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, infection prevention apparel/apparatus. 

4. Ability to understand verbal instructions

5. Ability to load/unload and transport hazardous waste 

6. Ability to identify environmental emergency/urgent situations and to follow established protocol in reporting and responding to these situations 

7. Work requires attention to detail. 

8. Ability to use asset management system (TMS)

9. Communicates clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing

This position does not provide patient care.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Name

Description

Education:

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing and speaking English. The ability to perform basic math functions to track waste poundage. High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of one (1) year Healthcare experience preferred, or knowledge of healthcare waste streams. •Hazardous waste experience strongly preferred

License(s):

None

Certification(s):

Successful completion of RCRA, HAZWOPER Operations Level, DOT General Awareness, Manifest required within 90 days of hire

Computer / Typing:

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.