CDOC Dental Hygienist - Part-Time - (Sterling)

Colorado; Sterling (CO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team making a difference in the State of Colorado! This part-time position at the Sterling Correctional Facility offers a unique opportunity to provide essential dental hygiene services to offenders. You will perform clinical duties, including assessing dental conditions, educating patients on oral health, and managing dental hygiene supplies. With a focus on patient care and teamwork, you will play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of individuals in a correctional setting. If you are a licensed dental hygienist looking for a rewarding career that impacts lives, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible retirement benefits

Medical and dental health plans

Paid life insurance

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Training opportunities

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Qualifications

• Current licensure as a dental hygienist from the Colorado Dental Board is required.
• 5 years of experience as a dental hygienist is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide dental assessments and hygiene services to offenders in a correctional facility.
• Schedule patient visits and maintain dental hygiene supplies.

Skills

Dental Hygiene

Patient Care

Time Management

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Current Dental Hygienist License

Job description

Colorado Department of Corrections Mission:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and builds greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient. In addition to a great agency and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as Safety Officers and are eligible for increased PERA benefits;
• Medical and dental health plans;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Paid life insurance;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more.

Who May Apply: The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

Location: This PART-TIME position is based in Sterling at the Sterling Correctional Facility. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.

This part-time position provides routine dental assessment and hygiene services to offenders incarcerated in the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). This position completes clinical duties which include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assess patient dental condition and screen for problems;
• Determine severity of complaint and triage for further dental care;
• Complete dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits, accretions and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums by scaling and/or root planning;
• Develop and provide instructions, written materials and advice on dental hygiene and oral healthcare;
• Schedule patient visits and services;
• Review, evaluate & prioritize offender's request for dental services to determine scheduling needs;
• Schedule facility visits to ensure all requests for services are met;
• Disinfect operatory, clean and sterilize instruments;
• Perform tool count as required by facility, appropriate Administrative Regulations, and dental service policy;
• Interpret and adapt radiation safety and infection control guidelines and regulations to fit individual circumstances;
• Dispose of medical contaminated waste, deciding which disposable items and waste require special treatment and determine what recognized procedures to use;
• Monitor supply usage and expiration dates;
• Maintain inventory for dental hygiene supplies;
• Operate supply system;
• Perform user maintenance on dental equipment used;
• May be required to travel to other facilities as needed to provide dental hygienist services;
• May be required to participate in restraining an offender primarily for medical reasons.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Licensure: Current, valid licensure as a dental hygienist from the Colorado Dental Board.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years experience as a dental hygienist;
• Experience providing hygienist services to any of the following populations: indigent, under-served, community based and institutional;
• Experience providing hygienist services as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Required Competencies:

• Self-starter with the ability to work autonomously;
• Exceptional time management skills;
• Ability to provide dental care to offenders incarcerated in a correctional facility;
• Advanced knowledge and thorough understanding of dental standards and guidelines;
• Commitment to patient care that is team-oriented;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across programs, facilities and with external stakeholders;
• 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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be 21 years of age;
• Possess a valid driver’s license;
• Possess a high school diploma or GED;
• Have NO felony convictions;
• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position.
• Successfully pass all modules of the Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training;
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics;
• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and may be exposed while on assignment;
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security;
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury;
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently;
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations;
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner;
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders;
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments;
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings;
• Willing and able to travel;
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

The CDOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. Employees may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass. Random drug screening will occur throughout employment.

The Colorado Department of Corrections is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE.

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY.