Dental Assistant / Sterilization Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Dental Assistant / Sterilization Technician

Location: Grand Junction, CO

Schedule: Full-Time, Mon-Thurs 8am-4:30pm

Salary: $20-$25/hour depending on experience

Position Overview:

The Dental Assistant & Sterilization Technician is responsible for supporting the dental team in providing efficient, safe, and high-quality patient care while maintaining a clean, organized, and properly sterilized clinical environment. This position assists the dentist and clinical staff during patient procedures, prepares treatment rooms and instruments, and ensures all dental instruments and equipment are properly cleaned, disinfected, sterilized, and stored according to infection-control standards.

Job Requirements

• Prepare and clean operatories before and after patient appointments and maintain a clean, organized treatment area.
• Assist the dentist chairside during procedures by passing instruments, managing suction, preparing materials, and providing general clinical support.
• Take digital X-rays, intraoral photos, impressions, and assist with lab cases as permitted by Colorado dental assisting regulations.
• Greet and prepare patients for treatment, review medical history, and maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Provide post-operative instructions and communicate patient needs to the dental team as needed.
• Clean, decontaminate, package, and sterilize dental instruments and equipment according to established infection control procedures.
• Operate sterilization equipment and maintain required sterilization and monitoring logs.
• Follow Standard Precautions, PPE requirements, OSHA, BBP, and office infection control policies.
• Inspect instruments and equipment for proper function and report items needing repair or replacement.
• Maintain instrument trays, supplies, and equipment in an organized and readily available manner.
• Monitor and restock clinical and sterilization supplies and assist with inventory as needed.
• Communicate effectively with clinical and front office staff to support patient care and daily office operations.
• Maintain clean and organized sterilization, storage, and clinical areas.
• Assist with maintaining departmental safety, quality, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of dental assisting and sterilization experience preferred; new graduates with clinical externship experience will be considered.
• Experience with dental software preferred (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental).
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Basic knowledge of dental terminology, procedures, instruments, and infection control practices.
• Ability to properly clean, sterilize, and maintain dental instruments and equipment.
• Dental assisting or sterile processing training/certification preferred but not required.
• CPR/BLS certification required or willingness to obtain upon hire.
• Basic understanding of HIPAA, OSHA, and bloodborne pathogen (BBP) safety requirements.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to work well with patients and the dental team in a professional and supportive manner

**Pursuant to the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and Equal Pay Transparency Rules, the salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. In addition, Atwood Advanced Dentistry provides a variety of benefits to full time employees, including paid holidays (6 annually), paid time off, Colorado sick leave, and retirement plan participation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Atwood Advanced Dentistry prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. All job requirements in the job description provided indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Job descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested. OUR COMPANY ADHERES TO A POLICY OF EMPLOYMENT-AT-WILL, WHICH ALLOWS EITHER PARTY TO TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE OR NOTICE.