CDOC Dental Assistant -PART-TIME - (TRINIDAD, CO)

Dental Assistant II

This part-time position assists the dentist in providing routine and emergency dental care, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients in a prison clinical setting. Assures daily completion of dental clinic operations to include but not limited to scheduling, tool control, chemical control, infection control practices, bio hazardous waste, hazardous materials and radiation control, and exposure control regulations. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Obtain digital x-rays;
• Set up restorative procedures;
• Educate inmates about preventive dental health care;
• Sterilize instruments and equipment;
• Dispose of medical contaminated waste;
• Interpret and adapt radiation safety and infection control guidelines and regulations to fit individual circumstances;
• Monitor and maintain intra-oral x-ray machines;
• Set schedule and perform preventive maintenance on dental equipment, trouble shoot and initiate work orders;
• Maintain inventory levels of supplies & chemicals, prioritizing usage based on expiration dates and re-ordering as needed;
• Ensure safety & security by maintaining a controlled environment for tools, chemicals & supplies;
• Maintain cleanliness of dental clinic;
• Under direction from the dentist, plan the workload and appointment schedule of inmates to achieve maximum efficiency;
• Triage urgency of dental requests for treatment, gather information, consult with dentist and schedule appropriately;
• Monitor progress of prosthetic cases and determine how best to schedule these patients;
• Obtain signatures and track co-pay charges and submit them for approval;
• Maintain suitable filing system, supply usage, expiration dates and stock levels;
• Perform and log autoclave spore strip testing per Dental Service Standards;
• Provide assistance with the upkeep of ACA files and presentation of Dental Clinics during ACA Audits.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicant must have two years of full-time, professional work experience as a Dental Assistant, providing chair side assistance in General Dentistry or Oral Surgery to an adult population.

Substitutions:

• Successful completion of an accredited dental assisting program may substitute for one year of the required experience. You must attach proof of completion that includes your name, name of college/program and date program was completed.

Required Competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply infection control practices;
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to safely control bio hazardous waste and hazardous materials;
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply exposure control regulations;
• Ability to select supplies and instruments based on knowledge of procedure, knowledge of patient requirements and familiarity with the preferences of the dentist;
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind;
• Ability to effectively work with inmate patients;
• Individual must be thorough and detail oriented;
• Individual must be proficient in basic computer skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing dental assistance in a correctional environment;
• Dental Assistant Certification (attach certification);
• Dental X-Ray Certification (attach certification);
• At least two years of experience providing chair side assistance in General Dentistry.