Dental Assistant 2 – Dental Sterilization

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The UW School of Dentistry (UWSOD) has an outstanding opportunity for a Dental Assistant 2 (DA2).

The Office of Clinical Services (OCS) supports the operations of multiple School of Dentistry clinics in delivering dental care to the state’s largest and most diverse patient population. We utilize a team-oriented approach and work very hard to serve our patients and students. OCS is committed to providing an environment where every employee feels welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

Within the School of Dentistry, there are thirteen clinics where pre-doctoral and graduate dental students are provided with education while also providing care to patients. Faculty and staff oversee these dentists-in-training. To support the educational mission of the school, the Dental Assistant – Oral Radiology in the Oral Radiology Clinic. Based on patient treatment procedure and staffing needs, this role will also provide backup support to the D2 and D3 clinics for predoctoral students, and the D2/D3 clinic dispensaries. In addition, this individual will float as needed in other predoctoral or graduate clinics within the UW School of Dentistry (Dental Admissions, Dental Urgent Care, DECOD (Dental Education in the Care of Person with Disabilities, Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Pediatric, Graduate Periodontics, Graduate Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the UW Dentistry Campus Dental Center.)

Reporting to the Dental Clinic Supervisor 1 and Clinic Manager, the DA2 is expected to interact on a professional basis with students and the workforce at all times and provide excellent customer service to our patients. Participate in UWSOD -required trainings such as health and safety, HIPAA, FERPA, BBP, and other Relias trainings.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Dental Assisting Responsibilities:

The DA2 is assigned to work with student providers at critical stages throughout patient care, prioritizing work and coaching students in patient management. The DA2 interfaces with the supervising licensed dentist who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the quality of patient care.

The Dental Assistant 2 position may be asked to float in other areas of the pre-doctoral clinic such as Sterilization, Dispensaries, Clerkships and other clinics within the UWSOD.

• Perform chairside four-handed dentistry with dental students in the Student Teaching clinics.
• Obtain and prepare dental materials, such as impression material, composite, bonding agents, and disposables needed for patient care.
• Independently operate equipment to take a full range of routine and complex digital intraoral and extraoral radiographs, including periapical, bitewing, panoramic, occlusal, and lateral images, and cone beam computed tomography scans.
• Aid dental students, residents and/or faculty in four-handed dentistry and in routine chair-side duties and patient care.
• Clean and prepare treatment areas using School of Dentistry standardized infection control protocols.
• Conduct inventories and stock supplies.
• Monitor school-owned instruments for breakage and wear; assess replacement needs and maintain clinic hand pieces.
• Suggest process improvements to leadership.
• Participate in dental student clinic orientations and limited classroom activities related to the dental team; may participate in orientation and training of new staff members.
• Perform related dental assistant duties as assigned.

Sterilization Responsibilities:

• Conduct entire sterilization cycle for all School clinics; debride, perform quality checks, replace instruments as necessary, wrap and sterilize items, following pre-sterilization and sterilization protocols.
• Utilize scanning software system to monitor the distribution and flow of instruments, hand pieces, and other patient care items to maintain strict infection control protocols.
• Operate autoclaves, washers, and other sterilization equipment; conduct biological testing of equipment.
• Maintain hand piece, cassette, bur, impression tray, and spore testing logs; Notify parties of discrepancies and report any ongoing problems to Manager.
• Store sterile and disinfected set-ups in preparation for delivery to clinics and students.
• Using the instrument ordering software, coordinate the pick-up and delivery of instruments to clinics.
• Perform basic calculations related to verifying sterilizer functions and inventory control.
• Inspect, assemble, package, label and date instruments and cassettes.
• Enter inventory data using a computer terminal or a manual method.
• Place orders as necessary.
• Keep all areas clean, orderly, and neat.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Dispensary Responsibilities:

• Using scanning software, check equipment in and out, including cameras, cavitrons, light cure units, nitrous tanks and other items for students.
• Monitor daily reports of items checked out by students, email students with delinquent items.
• Manage daily stocking of dispensary supplies, clinic supply bins, disposables, and barrier control items.
• Dispense anesthetic, antibiotics, fluoride, and dental materials per UWSOD policy and protocol.
• Collect, scan and bag soiled items in preparation for sterilization.
• Collect receivable orders from Central Purchasing and distribute items.
• Reconcile monthly statements from Central Purchasing.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Using scanning software, check equipment in and out, including cameras, cavitrons, light cure units, nitrous tanks and other items for students.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Radiology Responsibilities:

• Independently operate equipment to take a full range of routine and complex digital intraoral and extraoral radiographs, including periapical, bitewing, panoramic, occlusal, and lateral images, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.
• Take CBCT images.
• Oral Radiology Clinic additional duties: Export CBCT images to providers.
• Review radiographs for quality control and input digital images into dental management software, process, and route images to appropriate recipients.
• Assist with instruction of students in x-ray intraoral techniques and demonstrate the proper use of X-ray equipment and digital imagery, e.g., methods to capture parallel and bisecting angles.
• Assist faculty with students’ clinical/laboratory experience; provide input to students on appropriate X-ray procedures; provide feedback on technical quality of student-exposed radiographs.
• Alert Supervisor and Dental Maintenance (DentFix) for any equipment malfunctions on a timely basis and work with Scientific Instruments as needed.
• Participate in quality control testing such as assisting in densitometric studies.
• Comply with and enforce radiation health and safety procedures and infection control procedures. Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of an accredited training program for dental assistants; AND current certification as a dental assistant (CDA) OR the ability to obtain same within six months; PLUS two years of experience as a dental assistant. One year of additional dental assistant experience may substitute for required education.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Legal Requirement

Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$44,172.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$59,484.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

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