Dental Dispensary Technician I

Job Summary:

The Dental Dispensary Technicians within the School of Dental Medicine provide clinical support to the operatories and clinical units.  Positions in this unit float throughout the School of Dental Medicine’s various clinics. Float positions will decontaminate, clean, and provide basic maintenance of instruments and equipment in the dental operatories and clinical units as assigned, provide support in assigned clinical units including undergraduate dental student clinics and in all areas of four handed dentistry which include, but not limited to, restorative, periodontal, surgical, and all other related procedures.  

We are seeking Dental Care Assistants who are looking to learn and development their dental dispensary knowledge and experience. 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 motivated. The position is located at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus . Hours will be dependent on business need (i.e., rotating sterilization shifts, morning and/or second shift), but typically be Monday – Friday between the hours of 7:00am and 8:00 pm, with flexibility to adjust week to week.  

Key Responsibilities:  

Instrument Sterilization – Essential Function  

• Learn and understand the principles of sterilization and sterile processing 
• Disassemble, inspect, test, and ensure proper functioning of instruments and equipment 
• Decontaminate, clean and sterilize various SDM instruments, equipment, and sanitizing machines according to established procedures and techniques 
• Inspects and verifies proper functioning of sterilization equipment 
• Prepares specialized instruments set-ups for undergraduate students, residents and faculty to be used during dental patient treatment 
• Executes various sterilization processes and workflows - as assigned 
• Serves as a back-up/support for the central sterilization unit.  
• Creates and maintains accurate inventory, sterilization, and testing records and logs using a computer, laser wand, or scanner for barcode entry; run reports 
• Responds to questions/inquiries of students, faculty, residents, and staff by providing guidance /assistance as needed. 
• Operates all equipment in sterile processing including, but not limited to, steam sterilizers, biological incubators, heat sealers, instrument and cart washers 

Instrument and Equipment Management 

• Issue sterile reusable instrument/equipment to operatories and clinical units 
• Document checked out instruments/equipment using clinical inventory business application 
• Troubleshoot and address sterilization equipment issues 
• Stock supplies and materials needed for clinical patient care. 
• Conduct inspection/audits of sterilization and patient equipment 
• Maintain sterilized instrument inventory levels 
• Issues and distributes sterile reusable instruments to operatories and clinical units 
• Troubleshoot and address sterilization equipment issues 
• Troubleshooting patient care equipment. (i.e., operatory equipment, glucose, meter, blood pressure monitor, stethoscope 

Audit & Quality Assurance Coordination 

• Audit sterilization and infection control processes. (i.e., mask, PPE, etc.) 

Sterilization and dispensing quality control log maintenance 

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us:

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:

Please make sure to include the following in your resume: job title, duties, months and years employed, and average hours worked per week as minimum experience is calculated on a 40 hour/week basis.

Minimum Qualifications:

Dental Care I

• One year of dental assisting experience.
  • 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.

Colorado law requires that candidates for state government jobs be residents of Colorado at the time of application.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current dental assisting experience that includes, but not limited to, decontamination, cleaning, sterilizing, and maintenance of dental instruments and equipment.
• Experience with dental instrument terminology.
• Experience working with sterilizing and dispensing dental instruments, and equipment.
• Experience with clinical area preparation in a dental clinic and/or office.
• Experience working with students and faculty in a higher education and/or academic medical environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to perform basic computer functions.
• Learn and develop knowledge and skills in job specific responsibilities.
• Effective oral/written communication skills; effective interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated professional, ethical, and professional accountability and work behaviors.
• Initiative in seeking and evaluating solutions; ability to problem solve.
• Demonstrates effective collaboration/teamwork approaches; fosters and builds inclusiveness.
• Fosters life-long learning and professional development.
• Learn and develop knowledge and skills in business applications, technologies, and resources/tools required to perform responsibilities.

How to Apply:

Questions should be directed to: Traci Wells, [email protected]

Application Materials Instructions:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This announcement is open until June 28th , 2024.

To apply, please submit the following materials to this posting:

• A cover letter and resume that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines your qualifications.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Classified Staff positions have specific application requirements:

• Submit all required documents indicated in this posting and include a current email address and phone number. 
• Please address minimum qualifications, competencies and preferred qualifications in your cover letter, as these along with previous work experience will be used in the assessment process.
• Click here to view Veteran and other General Information regarding Classified Staff positions: https://www.cu.edu/cu-careers/special-instructions-classified-staff-applicants

For those who meet minimum qualifications, the comparative analysis process will include one or all of the following: 

• Preferred Qualifications Application Review based on the preferred qualifications listed in the posting. 
  • Candidates will be evaluated and rated against the preferred qualifications based on information submitted within their application materials.  Note: Candidates are not physically present for this portion of the comparative analysis. 
• Interviews based on the job requirements, preferred qualifications and competencies listed in the posting. 
  • Candidates will be evaluated, scored and ranked based on oral responses
  • Interviews may be over the phone, videoconference or in-person

You will be notified via email if the comparative analysis process changes or includes additional assessment tools other than those listed above.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established as $3,247 - $3,766.20 per month.

The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is eligible for overtime compensation.

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 .