Job Description

Job Summary
This position will be in the University of Utah Hospital outpatient clinic in conjunction with the School of Dentistry. This position requires assisting dental residents and attending dentists with routine, restorative and surgical procedures in the Outpatient clinic and the Operating Room. This position requires that the applicant maintains and operates equipment, instruments under the department’s direction, and provides initial and ongoing orientation for dental resident providers. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.

Form positive and productive relationships with staff residents, and faculty to support the mission, vision, values, and PROMISE standards of the organization. Foster a supportive, anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive environment for our patients, students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve.
Responsibilities
Disclaimer
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job. Employees may be required to assist in other areas of the clinic as needed.
Essential Functions
1. Assisting resident and attending dentists with procedures by preparing, identifying, and/or providing appropriate instruments.
2. Ordering, organizing, and restocking supplies.
3. Performing routine cleaning, stocking, and equipment maintenance including changing traps, maintaining water unit levels, cleaning chair bases, stocking supplies, and printing and stocking clinic forms.
4. Assisting residents with the preparation of procedures, chairside assisting, and radiology positioning and technique.
5. Disinfecting, lubricating, washing, wrapping, and sterilizing instruments, cassettes, and equipment for clinic use.
6. Adhering to manufacturer and CDC guidelines for reprocessing instruments and equipment.
7. Maintaining sterilization records and inventory reports.
8. Providing technical support to residents and faculty.
9. Acting to ensure proper infection control, clinic policies, and processes are followed.
10. Assisting in the tracking of clinic procedures through maintaining and/or entering data.
11. Assisting in the orientation, education, and training of dental residents on clinic procedures and protocols.
12. Adhering to standards set by OSHA, HIPAA, FERPA, CODA and other standards set by the department.
13. Participating and contributing in committees and discussions regarding clinic operations, materials, protocols, and/or quality assurance.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:
Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in stressful or demanding situations.
Ability to provide care appropriate to the patient demographic served.
Ability to display active listening and verbalize empathy while developing relationships with patients, guests, and coworkers.
Ability to provide care as detailed in the department’s policies and procedures manual.
Demonstrated excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and follow-through skills.
Ability to be highly motivated and pay attention to detail with a passion to provide excellent patient care in a fast paced and evolving environment.
Ability to work efficiently and independently.
Demonstrated computer skills and an ability and willingness to learn new applications and software, procedures, and processes.
Demonstrated knowledge of HIPAA regulations to ensure that patient information is guarded and respected.
Ability to navigate a facility with multiple providers and services.
Problem Solving
This position requires daily problem-solving skills and multi-tasking. Must be able to maintain professional demeanor in stressful or demanding situations.
Comments
Applicable dental assistance experience preferred. Epic experience preferred. Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of Dental Assistant Course and one year chair-side experience or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Successful completion of Radiology Safety and Health exam or complete within six months of hire. Basic Life Support Health Care Provider card or obtained within one month of hire. Excellent human relations and effective communication skills also required.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers, and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Applicable dental assistance experience preferred. Epic experience preferred. Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
Type Benefited Staff