DENTAL ASSISTANT 2 – DENTAL STERILIZATION

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in dental education is seeking a dedicated Dental Assistant 2 to support pre-doctoral students in providing exceptional patient care. This role involves assisting with chairside duties, managing sterilization processes, and ensuring compliance with infection control protocols. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, contributing to the training of future dental professionals while delivering excellent customer service. Join a diverse and inclusive team committed to making a positive impact in the community and advancing dental education.

Benefits

Generous Benefits

Work/Life Programs

Professional Growth Opportunities

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited dental assistant training program.
• Current CDA certification or ability to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Assist dental students in patient care and procedures.
• Conduct sterilization cycles and maintain infection control standards.
• Manage dispensary supplies and monitor equipment.

Skills

Dental Assisting

Patient Management

Infection Control Protocols

Radiography

Customer Service

Education

Accredited Training Program for Dental Assistants

CDA Certification

Tools

Autoclaves

Scanning Software

Job description

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Req #: 242207

Department: SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

Job Location: Seattle Campus

Posting Date: 04/25/2025

Closing Info: Closes On 05/09/2025

Other Compensation:

Union Position: Yes

Shift: First Shift

Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

Please note that this position has been re-posted. If you have already submitted your application, you need not submit it again, as it has already been received.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities, and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Office of Clinical Services (OCS) at the School of Dentistry encompasses the Patient Registration and Patient Relations offices, Simulation Clinic and Labs, Central Sterilization, two dispensaries, and facilities maintenance team. OCS supports the operations of 13 dental clinics in delivering dental care to the state’s largest and most diverse patient population. We utilize a team-oriented approach and work very hard to delight our patients. The Office of Clinical Services is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing an environment where every employee feels welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

The UW School of Dentistry (UWSOD) has an outstanding opportunity for a Dental Assistant 2 (NE SEIU 925 Non Supervisory) (DA2). Within the School of Dentistry, there are thirteen clinics where pre-doctoral and graduate dental students are provided education while also providing care to patients. Faculty and staff oversee these dentists-in-training. To support the educational mission of the school, the Dental Assistant 2 will provide assistance based on patient treatment procedures and staffing needs to the D2 and D3 clinics for predoctoral students, and provide backup support to the D2/D3 clinic dispensaries and Central Sterilization. Additionally, this individual will float as needed in other predoctoral or graduate clinics within the UW School of Dentistry (Dental Admissions, Dental Urgent Care, DECOD, Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Pediatric, Graduate Periodontics, Graduate Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and the UW Dentistry Campus Dental Center).

Reporting to the Dental Clinic Supervisor 2 and Clinic Manager, the DA2 is expected to interact professionally with students and staff at all times and provide excellent customer service to patients. Participate in UWSOD and supervisor-required trainings such as health and safety, HIPAA, FERPA, BBP, and other Relias trainings.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Dental Assisting Responsibilities:

The Dental Assistant 2 is assigned to work with student providers at critical stages throughout patient care, prioritizing work and coaching students in patient management. The DA2 interfaces with the supervising licensed dentist responsible for ensuring the quality of patient care.

The DA2 position may be asked to float in other areas of the pre-doctoral clinic such as Sterilization, Dispensaries, Clerkships, and other clinics within the UWSOD.

Assisting responsibilities include:

• Perform chairside four-handed dentistry with dental students in the Student Teaching clinics.
• Obtain and prepare dental materials, such as impression material, composite, bonding agents, and disposables needed for patient care.
• Perform expanded functions including taking impressions for study models, placing and removing rubber dams, matrices, and wedges, exposing radiographs, performing coronal polish, charting clinical findings, and other duties as specified by law.
• Independently operate equipment to take a full range of routine and complex digital intraoral and extraoral radiographs, including periapical, bitewing, panoramic, occlusal, lateral images, and cone beam CT scans.
• Aid dental students, residents, and/or faculty in four-handed dentistry and routine chair-side duties and patient care.
• Clean and prepare treatment areas following infection control protocols.
• Conduct inventories and stock supplies.
• Monitor school-owned instruments for breakage and wear; assess replacement needs and maintain clinic handpieces.
• Suggest process improvements to leadership.
• Participate in dental student clinic orientations and limited classroom activities related to the dental team; may participate in orientation and training of new staff.
• Perform related dental assistant duties as assigned.

Sterilization Responsibilities:

• Conduct sterilization cycles for all School clinics; debride, perform quality checks, replace instruments as necessary, wrap, and sterilize items following protocols.
• Utilize scanning software to monitor instrument flow and maintain infection control standards.
• Operate autoclaves, washers, and sterilization equipment; conduct biological testing.
• Maintain logs and notify management of discrepancies.
• Store sterile and disinfected sets for delivery.
• Coordinate instrument pick-up and delivery using software.
• Perform basic calculations related to sterilizer functions and inventory control.
• Inspect, assemble, package, label, and date instruments and cassettes.
• Enter inventory data and place orders as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of areas.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Dispensary Responsibilities:

• Monitor equipment check-in/out using scanning software.
• Manage daily stock of dispensary supplies and disposables.
• Dispense anesthetic, antibiotics, fluoride, and dental materials per policy.
• Handle soiled items for sterilization.
• Manage orders and reconcile statements.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of an accredited training program for dental assistants; current CDA certification or ability to obtain within six months; two years of experience as a dental assistant. An additional year of experience may substitute for education.
• Legal registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant.

UW is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For disability accommodations, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail]. Applicants must disclose any substantiated findings or investigations related to sexual misconduct as required by law.