Lab Support Assistant - School of Dental Medicine

Lab Support Assistant

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) offers one of the most forward-looking educational environments in dental medicine in the country. Since its founding in 1868, TUSDM has been committed to leadership in education, patient care, research, and community service. Students obtain an interdisciplinary education, integrated with medicine, with access to training in dental specialties. Clinics at TUSDM provide quality comprehensive care to more than 20,000 individuals annually. Nationally and internationally, the school promotes health and educational programs and researches new procedures, materials, and technologies to improve oral health.

The Lab Support Assistant is responsible for directing efforts within the lab to support the educational goals of the predoctoral faculty by creating an efficient, positive environment to support excellent patient care. Maintaining a well stocked, high quality, positive, supportive lab setting and leading by example to coach/teach students to properly prepare all types of lab cases for processing at a dental lab. The individual will be responsible for maintaining the lab supplies, e.g. routine order/replenishment.

Support prosthodontic and predoctoral faculty by maintaining a positive, efficient, and safe laboratory environment.

Assist with maintaining laboratory inventory and collaborate with Clinical Affairs staff to ensure the smooth processing of laboratory cases sent to external vendors, keeping faculty informed of case status and progress.

Coordinate with the Facilities Department to ensure all laboratory equipment is properly maintained, in good working order, and receives scheduled preventive maintenance as required.

Ensure laboratory cases are shipped to approved dental laboratories and received back in a timely manner to support patient care and educational needs.

Coach and assist students in prosthetics laboratory preparation techniques, including dye indexing, cast pouring, cast trimming and preparation, articulation and mounting procedures, infection control practices, and laboratory safety protocols.

Demonstrate an understanding of basic inventory management procedures, including proper storage and issuance of materials, FIFO (First In, First Out), LIFO (Last In, First Out), par levels, and inventory turnover principles, as applicable.

Submit orders to support student casework and ensure timely availability of required materials.

Replenish and stock supplies in designated storage areas while maintaining organized and accurate inventory.

Document and monitor inactive inventory on a daily and monthly basis.

Distribute materials and supplies to students as needed in support of clinical and laboratory activities.

Communicate inventory concerns, supply shortages, and operational issues to the Materials Buyer and/or Manager on a daily basis for appropriate follow-up and resolution.

Ensure invoices are accurately tracked and submitted to Tufts Support Services (TSS) in a timely manner.

Assist faculty and management with contributions of effort as needed to work as a part of the Materials Management/Clinical Affairs teams to support the school in providing patient-centered care to excellence.

Adheres to safety, organizational, and ethical standards.

Comply with all applicable and current Materials and Services Management, Human Resources, Employee Health and Safety, Compliance, OSHA, etc. policies and procedures.

All other projects as requested at the request of the Materials Manager or Director of Clinic Finance and Administration.

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• HS Diploma or equivalent, i.e. GED.
• Requires knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including word processing, editing and graphics functions, spreadsheet and database knowledge.
• Highly developed sense of integrity and commitment to patient satisfaction.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Strong detail orientation and communication/listening skills.
• Possess a strong work ethic and team player mentality.
• Must be able to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting (up to 50 lbs. unassisted), bending, standing, climbing or walking on a consistent basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA/BS.
• Experience in a health care setting.

Pay Range: Minimum $23.00, Midpoint $27.35, Maximum $31.70 Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.