Dental Assistant I–II (Open Rank)

Job Summary:

The University of Colorado, College of Nursing, is seeking a Dental Assistant I or II (open rank) for a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefits-eligible position at Sheridan Health Services (SHS), a Federally Qualified Health Center located in southwest Denver, CO (zip code: 80236). This position will provide quality oral health care to patients at the community clinic sites.

Clinic Description:

Sheridan Health Services is a multi-site, nurse-managed FQHC, funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Primary Healthcare. The clinic serves community health needs primarily for residents of Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson counties, and is located in southwest Denver on the Fort Logan campus. It provides services to adults and children, 65% of whom identify as Latinx, and 42% of whom are best served in another language, with Spanish being the predominant second language. Services offered include primary care across the lifespan; prenatal and postpartum, women’s health, dentistry, pharmacy, behavioral health, and outpatient substance use treatment. SHS is a Patient-Centered Medical Home and upholds a model of care that places the patient at the center, incorporating the values and beliefs of the individual in all decision-making.

https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/patient-care/sheridan-health-services

Examples of Work Performed (All Levels):

• Rooms patients in the dental operatories.

• Collects/Records vitals (blood pressure, pulse, weight, height) and blood sugar as indicated.

• Assists dentists, hygienists, and other dental team members with patient preparation and positioning and clinical area preparation for the treatment of patients for a variety of treatment procedures.

• Bilingual in English and another language. Communicating clinical terminology to patients and colleagues.

• Assists faculty and dental students in all areas of four-handed dentistry including, but not limited to, surgical, periodontal, restorative, and all other related procedures.

• Prepares specialized instrument set-ups for faculty, dental students, and hygienists (as needed) to be used during dental patient treatment.

• Inspects instruments/tools to ensure they are in good condition/working order.

• Performs waterline shocking, spore testing, and deep cleaning of clinical equipment.

• Performs appropriate aseptic and sterilization techniques.

• Stocks/Maintains dental inventory/supplies in treatment rooms.

• Performs dental intraoral and extraoral radiographs and other images using appropriate technique, X-ray equipment, and safety equipment. Mounts and identifies radiographic films and other images. Transfers images into a patient’s chart as directed.

• Performs routine administrative work in support of the clinic such as:

  • Electronic Health Record input, data reporting.

  • Answers phone calls and schedules appointments for all clinic locations.

  • Collects payments from patients for services provided and makes change where needed.

  • Reconciles change bank daily and submits daily deposit and deposit reconciliation report.

  • Obtains pre-authorizations for insurance companies.

  • Aids with preparation of claims for insurance payers.

  • Verifies financial coverage and coordinates payment plans.

  • Prints and presents treatment plans to patients, and then builds and reviews treatment plan estimates with patients before the patient signs the estimate/treatment plan.

• Ensures strict compliance with University and professional policies/procedures.

• Cleans and sterilizes instruments/dental equipment.

• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains all clinical, laboratory, and other community workspaces.

• Communicates effectively with all team members and participates in meetings.

• Other duties as assigned.

At the Dental Assistant I level, duties are performed within established and known systems, processes, and operations which permit little deviation.

At the Dental Assistant II level, the type of duties is similar to those performed at the lower level, but the complexity of the job is different. In addition to the examples of work performed at both levels, the Dental Assistant II level:

• Makes temporary crowns.

• Trains new hires and externs.

• Places and removes retraction cords.

• Polishes teeth.

• Applies fluoride.

• Provides patients with pre-op and post-op instructions, as well as oral hygiene instructions.

• Charts existing restorations or conditions.

• Places and removes matrix bands.

This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located at Sheridan Health Services - Southwest Denver, 3525 W. Oxford Avenue Unit G1, Denver, CO 80236

Why Join Us:

CU Nursing is an amazing place to be. We have the distinct advantage of being a part of a huge medical campus with three incredible hospitals – the VA, the nationally ranked University of Colorado Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado, where our nursing students and faculty learn every day. From our beginning 125 years ago as part of the School of Medicine at CU Boulder to our current home at the Anschutz Medical Campus, the college has been a recognized leader in nursing education (ranked #10 in online MS graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report 2023). Our faculty, students, and staff have been instrumental in shaping the profession of nursing and teaching the next generation of nurses while treating patients in our own nurse-led clinics. Be a part of an innovative, dynamic, diverse, and exciting workplace -- helping make great things happen. Join us in our quest to boldly transform health together.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year