Dental Materials Clerk

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This is a casual, hourly-paid position that has an end date of July 26, 2024 with the possibility of extension. This posting may be used to fill multiple positions. 

This position will also be required to work variable shifts between 7:00AM and 6:00PM with an occasional evening shift until 9:00pm.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the School of Dentistry

The School of Dentistry has been at the University of Alberta since 1917 and is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the College of Health Sciences. The school serves an integral role in educating a part of the healthcare workforce in Alberta and beyond. The school offers undergraduate programs in Dentistry, Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting. We offer graduate programs in Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Oral Biology, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics and Periodontology. There are 24 Faculty, 42 Academic Teaching Staff (ATS), and 115 Excluded Academic staff, that are supported by the Student & Academic Services unit. Our Mission: Improving the health of the people of Alberta and beyond through leadership in oral/maxillofacial health care, education, research/scholarship and providing service that is responsive to social needs.

Position Summary

The School of Dentistry is looking for motivated Dental Materials Clerks (DMC), interested in opportunities to join a dynamic team, supporting excellence in education and patient care.  Working under the supervision of the Materials Management Supervisor, the DMC coordinates the dispensing and return of all dental materials, instrumentation and small equipment as requested by the dental students, hygiene students, residents, support staff and clinical instructors. The Dental Materials Clerk is responsible for ensuring that all dental materials and kits, instrumentation cassettes and small equipment are kept stocked and up to date.  Knowledge of dental procedures and products, supply management operations and dental and hygiene program requirements is required.

The Dental Materials Clerk works in a fast paced environment and has a high level of contact with the dental students, hygiene students, residents, support staff and clinical instructors. Ideally, the incumbent requires some knowledge of dental procedures and products, supply management operations and dental and hygiene program requirements.

The Dental Materials Clerk must be able to apply established School of Dentistry supply policies in their day-to-day duties and interactions.

May be assigned to assist in the materials management reprocessing centre, the Simulation lab and/or central sterilization when operationally required.

Duties

Inventory Management

• Coordinates the dispensing and return of dental materials, instrumentation and small
• equipment as requested by students, instructors, and support staff.
• Utilizes Axium in the dispensing and return of dental materials, instrumentation and small equipment
• Ensures returned items are properly handled and stored
• Prepares and maintains required dental sundries
• Monitors inventory to maintain adequate supplies for clinical operations
• Prepares and delivers items for clinical labs
• Completes inventory of dental materials, instrumentation and small equipment within scheduled timelines
• Ensures School of Dentistry protocols are adhered to for the dispensing and return of all materials
• Moves carts in coordination with set schedule as required between the Dispensaries, Central Sterilization and Materials Management
• Records all dental materials, instrumentation and small equipment that has been requested and dispensed to individuals for use in ‘other clinics’ within the School of Dentistry
• Monitors expendable and non-expendable inventory to ensure adequate inventory for the dental, dental hygiene clinics and the GPR clinic.
• Monitors expiry dates to ensure supplies are utilized accordingly
• Assists in maintaining databases to ensure current inventory information Infection Prevention Control
• Maintains cleanliness of the dispensary and soiled return room
• Follows IPC protocol for the delivery and retrieval of dental materials, kits, instrumentation and small equipment
• Monitors items received from Central Sterilization to confirm sterilization has occurred
• Monitors items received from materials management to confirm disinfection and restocking has occurred within the kits
• Mentors students and instructors to minimize infection control violations at the dispensary
• Confirm daily that all dispensed items have been returned prior to the closure of the dispensary
• Maintains cleanliness of the sundry carts located throughout the clinic
• Prepares the dispensary rooms following IPC Protocol for the morning and afternoon clinical operations
• Utilize EHS protocols/procedures such as WHIMIS and chemical spill guidelines as required
• Maintains MSDS database and the University of Alberta and/or Alberta Health Services protocol documents to ensure they are current and ready for reference by faculty, staff and students 

Student Services

• Works with the students to ensure that all materials and equipment pertaining to a particular procedure have been requested
• Queries students on procedures to ensure that incorrect items are not being requested and dispensed and thus provide the department with some degree of cost control
• Provide guidance and make recommendations to students on the usage of various dental materials and equipment
• Confirms that all requested materials and equipment are related to dental procedures to ensure patient care and safety

Communication/Organization

• Initiates an emergency page or emergency call as requested/required
• Utilizes the ‘nurse call system’ and contacts the response team to attend to the situation
• If required, assists with the student, patient, and staff evacuation of the 8th floor of the Edmonton Clinic

Qualifications

• Grade 12 Diploma
• Minimum post-secondary certificate in dental assisting, dental hygiene, or other similar dental education
• Knowledge of dental procedures, materials and equipment is required
• Inventory Management training/experience an asset
• Current CPR: Health Care Provider Level C certification required
• Knowledge of Infection Control Protocol
• Knowledge of sterilization procedures for dental instruments and equipment
• Demonstrates skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with others
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and perform tasks accurately with attention to detail
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
• Computer proficiency in MS office (Word and Excel) required
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and lift up to 50 pounds

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.