Dental Assistant

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

1d • $20 - $27

About The Position

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry seeks a lead for its Central Sterilization unit within Clinic Administration, supporting the Dental Clinics. The unit provides sterilization and dispensing services for instruments and materials used in the College of Dentistry clinics. The College has approximately 600 students and represents all major ADA-recognized dental specialties.

The position leads the second-shift daily operations of Central Sterilization. It oversees the decontamination, maintenance, inspection, preparation, processing, and dispatch of instrumentation, supplies, and service; orders and stocks sterile supplies and equipment in accordance with infection control standards; conducts quality-control testing; monitors compliance with infection-control policies and procedures and maintains records. The lead assists with quarterly inventory and provides backup assistance in two dispensaries as needed. Hours may vary according to the needs of Central Sterilization, and evenings may be required.

The scheduled hours are generally Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with Friday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The position is regular and scheduled for 40 hours per week. Candidates must pass applicable health standards and requirements prescribed by law before appointment, and successful completion of a criminal background check and drug and alcohol screening is required. A drug screen or physical may also be required during the post-offer process.

Requirements

• Six months of experience (or six courses) in dental office practices and procedures.
• Six months of experience (or six courses) in dental operatory practices and procedures.
• Six months of experience (or six courses) in care of dental equipment.
• Six months of experience (or six courses) in dental clinic procedures.
• Six months of experience (or six courses) in expanded dental duty procedures.
• Six months of experience (or six courses) in forehand assisting techniques.
• Three months of experience (or three courses) in supervision may be required for some positions.
• Pass health standards and requirements prescribed by law before appointment, such as the hepatitis vaccination series and TB tests.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends as needed for college events.
• Ability to lift, pull, or push up to 50 pounds frequently; bend, twist, turn, and reach below the knees and above the shoulders frequently; and stand, sit, and walk frequently.
• Ability to use both hands, with finger dexterity to manipulate instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Color-spectrum differentiation, manual dexterity and motor coordination, hand-eye coordination, physical communication, visual acuity, and communication/language development.
• Ability to work well with others as part of a fast-paced team.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check and drug and alcohol screening.

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of experience in sterile processing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Associate degree in health care or a related field, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three or more years of full-time chairside experience or six or more years of part-time chairside experience.
• Current CPR license.
• Current radiology license.
• Completion of an accredited dental assistant training program.
• Six months of supervisory experience, with at least one year in a medical or dental healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of infection-control procedures and sterilization procedures.
• Knowledge of OSHA and HIPAA.
• Knowledge of dental nomenclature, products, and instruments.
• Experience using a personal computer and Microsoft Office to generate materials ranging from basic to complex.
• Experience in a customer-service setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily second-shift operations of the Central Sterilization unit.
• Provide sterilization and dispensing services for instruments and materials used in the College of Dentistry clinics.
• Oversee decontamination, maintenance, inspection, preparation, processing, and dispatch of instrumentation, supplies, and service.
• Order and stock sterile supplies and equipment according to acceptable infection-control standards.
• Conduct quality-control testing and monitor compliance with infection-control policies and procedures.
• Maintain records related to sterilization and infection-control operations.
• Assist with quarterly inventory.
• Provide backup assistance in two dispensaries as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed