Dental Assistant 2 - Dental Sterilization

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

UW School of Dentistry is seeking a Dental Assistant 2 to support student clinicians, manage sterilization, and handle dispensary duties. The role emphasizes infection control, patient care, and collaboration with licensed dentists and staff.

The DA2 will perform four-handed dentistry, assist with radiographs, manage inventories, and contribute to a high standard of patient care in a fast-paced academic clinic.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited dental assisting program.
• Current CDA certification or ability to obtain within six months.
• Two years of experience as a dental assistant (one year may substitute for education).

Responsibilities

• Perform chairside four-handed dentistry with dental students in Student Teaching clinics.
• Obtain and prepare dental materials for patient care.
• Take and process a full range of radiographs including digital intraoral and extraoral images.
• Maintain infection control protocols and keep treatment areas clean and stocked.
• Monitor inventories, stock supplies, and dispense as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Professionalism

Education

CDA certification

Tools

Scanning software

Job description

Job Description

The UW School of Dentistry (UWSOD) has an outstanding opportunity for a Dental Assistant 2 (DA2) to join their team.

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the Dental Clinic Supervisor 1, the DA2 is expected to interact on a professional level with students and the workforce at all times and provide excellent customer service to our patients. Participate in UWSOD and supervisor-required trainings such as health and safety, HIPAA, FERPA, BBP, and other Relias trainings.

Key Responsibilities

Sterilization Responsibilities (80%)

• Conduct entire sterilization cycle for all School clinics; debride, perform quality checks, replace instruments as necessary, wrap and sterilize items, following pre-sterilization and sterilization protocols.
• Utilize scanning software system to monitor the distribution and flow of instruments, hand pieces, and other patient care items to maintain strict infection control protocols.
• Operate autoclaves, washers, and other sterilization equipment; conduct biological testing of equipment.
• Maintain hand piece, cassette, bur, impression tray, and spore testing logs; Notify parties of discrepancies and report any ongoing problems to Manager.
• Store sterile and disinfected set-ups in preparation for delivery to clinics and students.
• Using the instrument ordering software, coordinate the pick-up and delivery of instruments to clinics.
• Perform basic calculations related to verifying sterilizer functions and inventory control.
• Inspect, assemble, package, label and date instruments and cassettes.
• Enter inventory data using a computer terminal or a manual method.
• Place orders as necessary.
• Keep all areas clean, orderly, and neat.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Dental Assisting Responsibilities (10%)

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 who is ultimately 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 to include taking impressions for study models, place and remove rubber dam and matrix and wedge, expose radiographs, perform Coronal polish, chart clinical findings, and other delegable 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, and lateral images, and cone beam computed tomography scans.
• Aid dental students, residents and/or faculty in four-handed dentistry and in routine chair-side duties and patient care.
• Clean and prepare treatment areas using School of Dentistry standardized infection control protocols.
• Conduct inventories and stock supplies.
• Monitor school-owned instruments for breakage and wear; assess replacement needs and maintain clinic hand pieces.
• 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 members.
• Perform related dental assistant duties as assigned.

Dispensary Responsibilities (10%)

• Using scanning software, check equipment in and out, including cameras, cavitrons, light cure units, nitrous tanks and other items for students.
• Monitor daily reports of items checked out by students; email students with delinquent items.
• Manage daily stocking of dispensary supplies, clinic supply bins, disposables, and barrier control items.
• Dispense anesthetic, antibiotics, fluoride, and dental materials per UWSOD policy and protocol.
• Collect, scan and bag soiled items in preparation for sterilization.
• Collect receivable orders from Central Purchasing and distribute items.
• Reconcile monthly statements from Central Purchasing.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Completion of an accredited training program for dental assistants; AND current certification as a dental assistant (CDA) OR the ability to obtain same within six months; PLUS two years of experience as a dental assistant. One year of additional dental assistant experience may substitute for required education.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Legal Requirement

• Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant

About The Team

The Office of Clinical Services (OCS) supports the operations of multiple School of Dentistry 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 serve our patients and students. OCS is committed to providing an environment where every employee feels welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

Compensation, Benefits And Position Details

Pay Range Minimum

$45,060.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum

$60,672.00 annual

Benefits

Other Compensation

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit

SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

About The UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives - on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.