Cdoc Dental Assistant - (Denver)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant supports a dentist in providing routine and emergency dental care, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to adult patients in a prison clinical setting. The role helps ensure daily clinic operations are completed, including scheduling, tool and chemical control, infection prevention, management of hazardous materials and biohazardous waste, radiation safety, and compliance with exposure-control regulations.

The Dental Assistant obtains digital X-rays, prepares restorative procedures, educates patients about preventive dental health, sterilizes instruments and equipment, and disposes of contaminated medical waste. The position also maintains and monitors dental equipment, supplies, inventory, clinic cleanliness, records, and safety and security controls. In coordination with the dentist, the assistant plans patient workloads and appointments, triages requests, schedules prosthetic cases, tracks copay approvals, and performs and logs autoclave spore-strip testing.

The position is located at the Denver Complex in Denver, Colorado, and is open only to Colorado residents. Employment is contingent on meeting the stated qualifications and conditions, including background and drug screening, medical screening, and successful completion of the Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training. The role may involve rotating shifts, physical control or restraint situations, exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum during training and on assignment, and work in changing noise and temperature conditions.

Requirements

• At least two years of full-time professional work experience as a Dental Assistant providing chairside assistance in general dentistry or oral surgery to an adult population. Successful completion of an accredited dental assisting program may substitute for one year of the required experience; proof of completion must be attached.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply infection-control practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to safely control biohazardous waste and hazardous materials.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply exposure-control regulations.
• Ability to select supplies and instruments based on procedure knowledge, patient requirements, and familiarity with the dentist’s preferences.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend English and communicate fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content following plain-language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
• Ability to work effectively with inmate patients.
• Thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and strong problem-solving skills.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 21 years old and possess a valid driver’s license; drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver’s license and meet applicable driving-record requirements.
• Must have no felony convictions, as specified in the posting, and must meet the Department’s restrictions concerning sexual abuse or misconduct involving offenders.
• Must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
• Must successfully complete all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical Defensive Tactics examinations.
• Must be physically able to complete Defensive Tactics and the listed physical activities, including lifting arms overhead, kicking to waist height, controlled takedowns, delivering and withstanding strikes, baton techniques, kneeling and rising repeatedly, and maintaining agility and strength.
• Must be able to see and hear to observe and respond to safety and security concerns; seize, hold, control, or subdue violent or assaultive persons; and work in situations involving physical control or restraint.
• Must be able to work with people of different sexes and diverse racial and ethnic groups, including people who are mentally ill or emotionally disturbed, and deal tactfully with a range of moods and behaviors.
• Must be able to communicate by speaking, listening, or signaling to convey or exchange information and assignments.
• Must be able to work in fluctuating noise and temperature, potentially outdoors in inclement weather or in concrete-floor and concrete-wall settings.
• Must be willing and able to travel and work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and nights, on a rotating schedule.
• Must complete tuberculosis screening upon hire, a background investigation, and required drug testing; random drug screening occurs during employment.
• Must meet medical screening requirements and consent to the stated conditions concerning medical testing and its use in employment consideration.
• Must be willing to work in a tobacco-free facility.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing dental assistance in a correctional environment.
• Dental Assistant Certification; attach certification.
• Dental X-Ray Certification; attach certification.
• At least two years of experience providing chairside assistance in general dentistry.

Responsibilities

• Assist the dentist in providing routine and emergency dental care, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to adult patients in a prison clinical setting.
• Complete daily dental clinic operations, including scheduling, tool and chemical control, infection control, biohazardous waste, hazardous materials, radiation control, and exposure-control practices.
• Obtain digital dental X-rays.
• Set up restorative procedures.
• Educate patients about preventive dental health care.
• Sterilize instruments and equipment and dispose of contaminated medical waste.
• Interpret and adapt radiation-safety and infection-control guidelines and regulations to individual circumstances.
• Monitor and maintain intra-oral X-ray machines.
• Schedule and perform preventive maintenance on dental equipment, troubleshoot problems, and initiate work orders.
• Maintain supply and chemical inventory, prioritize use according to expiration dates, and reorder as needed.
• Maintain a controlled environment for tools, chemicals, and supplies to support safety and security.
• Maintain cleanliness of the dental clinic.
• Under the dentist’s direction, plan patient workload and appointment schedules for efficiency.
• Triage the urgency of dental treatment requests, gather information, consult with the dentist, and schedule appropriately.
• Monitor prosthetic cases and determine appropriate patient scheduling.
• Obtain signatures, track copay charges, and submit them for approval.
• Maintain filing systems and track supply use, expiration dates, and stock levels.
• Perform and log autoclave spore-strip testing according to Dental Service Standards.

Benefits

• PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• 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.
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED