CDOC Dental Assistant (STERLING)

Department Information

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined
• Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates.
• 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 and more;
• Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information.
• This position is compensated on a bi-weekly pay cycle.

Who May Apply: The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

Location: The position is located at the Sterling Correctional Facility in Sterling, Colorado. This job posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.

Description of Job

This position assists the dentist in providing routine and emergency dental care, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients in a prison clinical setting. Assures daily completion of dental clinic operations to include but not limited to scheduling, tool control, chemical control, infection control practices, bio hazardous waste, hazardous materials and radiation control, and exposure control regulations.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Obtain digital x-rays;
• Set up restorative procedures;
• Educate inmates about preventive dental health care;
• Sterilize instruments and equipment;
• Dispose of medical contaminated waste;
• Interpret and adapt radiation safety and infection control guidelines and regulations to fit individual circumstances;
• Monitor and maintain intra-oral x-ray machines;
• Set schedule and perform preventive maintenance on dental equipment, trouble shoot and initiate work orders;
• Maintain inventory levels of supplies & chemicals, prioritizing usage based on expiration dates and re-ordering as needed;
• Ensure safety & security by maintaining a controlled environment for tools, chemicals & supplies;
• Maintain cleanliness of dental clinic;
• Under direction from the dentist, plan the workload and appointment schedule of inmates to achieve maximum efficiency;
• Triage urgency of dental requests for treatment, gather information, consult with dentist and schedule appropriately;
• Monitor progress of prosthetic cases and determine how best to schedule these patients;
• Obtain signatures and track co-pay charges and submit them for approval;
• Maintain suitable filing system, supply usage, expiration dates and stock levels;
• Perform and log autoclave spore strip testing per Dental Service Standards;
• Provide assistance with the upkeep of ACA files and presentation of Dental Clinics during ACA Audits.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PROCESS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must have two years of full-time, professional work experience as a Dental Assistant, providing chair side 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. You must attach proof of completion that includes your name, name of college/program and date program was completed.

• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply infection control practices;
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to safely control bio hazardous waste and hazardous materials;
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply exposure control regulations;
• Ability to select supplies and instruments based on knowledge of procedure, knowledge of patient requirements and familiarity with the preferences of the dentist;
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind;
• Ability to effectively work with inmate patients;
• Individual must be thorough and detail oriented;
• Individual must be proficient in basic computer skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills.

• 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 chair side assistance in General Dentistry.

• Must be 21 years of age;
• Possess a valid driver’s license; Drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. State drivers are expected to maintain a safe driving record consistent with Colorado Division of Human Resources Universal Policy Driving Standards. Eligibility to drive a State-owned vehicle, includes holding a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of employment or residency change and meeting specific driving record criteria. Serious traffic violations, including DUIs or reckless driving, can disqualify drivers for up to seven years. All State Vehicles are monitored by telematics for safe operation and employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy while using an agency State Fleet vehicle.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED;
• Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609. The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.
• Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; DOC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.
• Successfully pass all modules of the 6 week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics;
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics;
  • Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
  • Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
  • Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
  • Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
  • Swing a baton in a striking technique;
  • Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
  • Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;
• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment;
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security;
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury;
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently;
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations;
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner;
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders;
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments;
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings;
• Willing and able to travel;
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

Exception: Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified employees are prohibited from the use of marijuana. Health care professionals must check their licensing requirements regarding marijuana use.

Supplemental Information