STERILIZATION DENTAL ASSISTANT (DENTAL ASSISTANT 2)

Benefits:

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.

For detailed information on Benefits for this position,
click here.

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.

School of Dentistry has an outstanding opportunity for Sterilization Dental Assistant (Dental Assistant 2).

The Office of Clinical Services (OCS) at the School of Dentistry encompasses the Patient Registration and Patient Relations offices, Simulation Clinic and Labs, Central Sterilization, two dispensaries, and facilities maintenance team. OCS supports the operations of 13 dental 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 delight our patients. The Office of Clinical Services is committed to the principle of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to providing an environment where every employee feels welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

The UW School of Dentistry (UWSOD) has an outstanding opportunity for a Dental Assistant 2 (DA2) located within the main campus Sterilization workgroup. Within the School of Dentistry, there are thirteen clinics where pre-doctoral and graduate dental students are provided 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 2 will provide assistance, based on patient treatment procedure and staffing needs, to the D2 and D3 clinics for predoctoral students and provide back up support to the D2/D3 clinic dispensaries and Central Sterilization. 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 Health & Safety Manager, the DA2 in Sterilization is expected to interact on a professional with students and the workforce at all times and provide excellent customer service to our patients. Participate in UWSOD and supervisor-required trainings such as health and safety, HIPAA, FERPA, BBP, and other Relias trainings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Dental Assisting Responsibilities:
The Dental Assistant 2 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 DA2 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.

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.

Assisting responsibilities include serving as an occasional back-up dental assistant in the predoc clinics:

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.

Perform expanded functions to include taking impressions for study models, place and remove rubber dam and matrix and wedge, expose radiographs, perform Coronal polish, chart clinical findings, and other delegable duties as specified by law.

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.

Dispensary Responsibilities include serving as an occasional back-up dental assistant in the predoc dispensaries

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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Completion of an accredited training program for dental assistants; AND current certification as a dental assistant (CDA) OR the ability to obtain it 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/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Legal Requirement:
Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready.
Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is 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 [email protected]

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.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
Employees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.