Dental Assistant Lead

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Advanced Care Clinics Manager, the full-time Dental Assistant Lead serves as a lead assistant and functional working dental assistant. Primary responsibilities include functional working chairside four-handed dental assistance in assigned primary dental specialty clinics and supporting other Advanced Care Clinics (i.e., oral and maxillofacial surgery, general practice residency, endodontics, periodontics, community dentistry), and serving as a functional lead. This position will collaborate with multiple department and school stakeholders (i.e., DDS students, residents, staff, and faculty) to support the needs of clinical operations and patients while supporting the mission, vision, and values of the school and the university.

We are seeking experienced dental care assistants with demonstrated experience in a dental care environment. We welcome applications from individuals who are collaborative, communicative, caring, detail oriented, organized, proactive, able to think critically, focused on quality, dedicated to personal growth, and highly collaborative. The position is located at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus. Hours will be dependent on business need but typically will be Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00 pm. This is a clinic focused position and is an onsite position.

Key Responsibilities:

Chairside Assistance – Essential Function (90%)

• Clinical/Patient treatment preparation and positioning; Inspects appropriate instruments/tools for good condition/working order.
• Use of sterile techniques and infection control procedures; Performs appropriate aseptic and sterilization techniques.
• Provide demonstration and instruction in the assigned areas of technical dentistry practices when assisting the dental students.
• Performs dental intraoral and extraoral radiographs using appropriate technique, x-ray equipment and safety equipment and develops, mounts and identifies radiographic films.
• Troubleshoots the scanner to make sure films are being developed with high quality.

Lead Responsibilities: Training & Mentorship – Essential Function (10%)

• Consistent, ongoing decision making that meets the demands of the Specialty Clinics within the school. This includes, but is not limited to, day-to-day assigning of work for other Dental Care Assistants within the clinic, providing feedback and guidance.
• Serve as a mentor and/or training peer for new dental care assistants; training and mentoring colleagues in the various patient procedures and clinic operations/workflows.
• Provide quality assurance by checking that all clinical protocol procedures are being followed during exposure. Ensure that all sterilization and infection control procedures are followed in accordance with set policies and procedures.

*This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on department and School of Dental Medicine need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus in the School of Dental Medicine, Advanced Care Clinics.

Why Join Us:

The Advanced Care Clinics encompasses several dental departments that support the mission areas of education, research, patient care and community engagement at the University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine (CUSDM).  The department fulfils this charge through multi-disciplinary professional collaboration and teaching in the areas of surgical dentistry, community and population health, and emergency dental medicine. Our team is committed to engage, innovate and enhance, as a way to support student success and better serve patients and the broader community.

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is nationally recognized for the quality of its educational programs, its interdisciplinary research and its excellent clinical care programs that contribute to the health and well-being of many of Colorado’s most underserved citizens. We are invested in creating career pathways, learning and development opportunities, and developing people infrastructures to support the workforce.

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of dental assisting experience, which included mentoring and/or training colleagues in four-handed chairside dental assistance. 
  • Substitution: Successful completion of an accredited dental assisting program may substitute for one year of experience.
•  NOTE: If exercising the education substitution, applicants MUST attach a copy of their dental assisting certificate to their application materials no later than the closing date listed in the announcement.
• Current valid CPR and/or BLS certification.

Applicants must meet minimum requirements at time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of dental assisting experience.
• Experience working with students and faculty in a higher education and/or academic medical environment.
• Recent experience working in a fast-paced dental environment.
• Experience with clinical area preparation, taking x-rays, and performing/developing digital dental radiographs in a dental clinic and/or office.
• Comprehensive knowledge of dental materials, their use, maintenance and storage.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate a broad range of laws, rules, and regulations in order to exercise good judgment in applying them to human resource challenges.
• Knowledge of the professional standards, concepts, and practices of dental care assistance (i.e., dental terminology, materials, tools, instruments, and proper use and technique).
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Demonstrated effective time management skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of professional standards, concepts and practices related customer service and patient care.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws and regulations (i.e., OSHA, HIPPA).
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality while working with sensitive information.
• Ability to take initiative with daily work activities and collaborates to create a positive effect on team performance.
• The ideal candidate for this position will be a detail oriented, dedicated and professional individual growth.

Lead Competencies:

• Learn and develop appropriate/effective supervisory principals.
• Learn supervisory administrative responsibilities (i.e., leave and timesheet processing, performance planning and evaluations, compliance/policy interpretation and management)
• Promotes professional and ethical work standards and behaviors; cultivates standard of professionalism, integrity, ethics and employee competency.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

Questions can be directed to SDM Human Resources at [email protected]

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by June 4, 2024.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting hiring range for this position has been established as $49,828 - $60,144.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .