Dental Assistant 2 Job at University of Washington in Seattle

Job Description

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 boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. The School of Dentistry has an outstanding opportunity for a Dental Assistant - Oral Radiology (Dental Assistant 2) to join their team.

Within the School of Dentistry, there are thirteen clinics where pre-doctoral and graduate dental students are educated while also providing care to patients. Faculty and staff oversee these dentists-in-training. To support the educational mission, the Dental Assistant – Oral Radiology in the Oral Radiology Clinic will based on patient treatment procedure and staffing needs provide backup support to the D2 and D3 clinics for predoctoral students and the D2/D3 clinic dispensaries. The individual may 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).

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. OCS is committed to providing an environment where every employee feels welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

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

Duties And Responsibilities

Radiology Responsibilities:

• 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 (CBCT) scans.
• Take CBCT images.
• Export CBCT images to providers.
• Review radiographs for quality control and input digital images into dental management software, process, and route images to appropriate recipients.
• Assist with instruction of students in x-ray intraoral techniques and demonstrate the proper use of X-ray equipment and digital imagery.
• Assist faculty with students’ clinical/laboratory experience; provide input to students on appropriate X-ray procedures; provide feedback on technical quality of student-exposed radiographs.
• Alert Supervisor and Dental Maintenance for any equipment malfunctions on a timely basis and work with Scientific Instruments as needed.
• Participate in quality control testing such as densitometric studies.
• Comply with and enforce radiation health and safety procedures and infection control procedures. Perform related duties as assigned.

Dental Assisting Responsibilities

The Dental Assistant – Oral Radiology is assigned to work with student providers at critical stages throughout patient care, prioritizing work and coaching students in patient management. The Dental Assistant – Oral Radiology interfaces with the supervising licensed dentist who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the quality of patient care. The role may float in other areas of the pre-doctoral clinic such as Sterilization, Dispensaries, Clerkships and other clinics within the UW SOD.

• Perform chairside four-handed dentistry with dental students in the Student Teaching clinics.
• Obtain and prepare dental materials for patient care.
• Independently operate equipment to take a full range of radiographs and CBCT scans.
• Aid dental students, residents and/or faculty in four-handed dentistry and in routine chair-side duties.
• Clean and prepare treatment areas using infection control protocols.
• Conduct inventories and stock supplies.
• Monitor instruments for wear; assess replacement needs and maintain clinic hand pieces.
• Suggest process improvements to leadership.
• Participate in dental student clinic orientations and related activities; may participate in orientation and training of new staff.
• Perform related dental assistant duties as assigned.

Sterilization Responsibilities

• Conduct entire sterilization cycle for all School clinics; debride, perform quality checks, replace instruments as necessary, wrap and sterilize items, following protocols.
• Utilize scanning software to monitor the distribution and flow of instruments to maintain infection control protocols.
• Operate autoclaves, washers, and other sterilization equipment; conduct biological testing of equipment.
• Maintain logs for hand pieces, cassettes, burs, and spore testing; report discrepancies.
• Store sterile and disinfected set-ups for delivery to clinics and students.
• Coordinate instrument pickup and delivery using ordering software.
• Perform basic inventory calculations and keep areas clean and organized.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Dispensary Responsibilities

• Check equipment in and out using scanning software; monitor daily reports and communicate delinquent items to students.
• Manage daily stocking of dispensary supplies and clinic bins.
• Dispense anesthetic, antibiotics, fluoride, and dental materials per policy.
• Prepare and bag soiled items for sterilization.
• Coordinate with Central Purchasing for receivable orders and monthly statements.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Completion of an accredited training program for dental assistants; AND current certification as a dental assistant (CDA) OR the ability to obtain 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

Compensation, Benefits And Position Details

Pay Range Minimum: $44,172.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum: $59,484.00 annual

Benefits: 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: 100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

About The UW: The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu. 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.

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