Dental Assistant/ Dental Sterile Technician

Dental Assistant / Dental Sterilization Technician (Fluent in Spanish)

Please Note: 

• The Sterile Tech MUST have infection control certification, and we prefer x-ray certification as well.
• This position will primarily be at our Winters location, with occasional fill-in at our Esparto location. 

We are on the lookout for a full-time Dental Assistant or Dental Sterile Technician to join our team. The ideal candidate has a strong desire to grow in the dental field. We will require the successful candidate to have their Infection Control License, and be up to date on all OSHA/BBP infection control procedures. A Dental Assistant with x-ray certification is preferred. 

As a Sterile Technician with Winters Healthcare, you will work alongside the dental team, optimizing workflow, safety, and sterilization of instruments and work areas in the dental office. The sterile technician supports the services we provide by supplying and maintaining a steady inventory of sterile instruments, trays, and equipment. The Sterile Technician will be responsible for safely collecting, transporting, cleaning, and sterilizing instruments, as well as efficient setup and clean up of dental trays and dental areas.  Chairside assistance and greeting of patients and escorting to the operatories may be necessary. 

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding and working knowledge of exceptional health and safety standards, following all applicable OSHA and BBP regulations to ensure the utmost safety for themselves, their peers, and the patients we serve. In addition, the ideal candidate enjoys working with people, making connections, and building relationships; strong communication skills are a must, – listening included – and the ability to establish effective, trusting relationships, and passion to provide exceptional care to the patients of Winters Healthcare.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate, collaborate, and work in a team-oriented environment supporting our model of care
• Follow all strict and necessary OSHA and state dental sterilization and safety procedures and regulations
• Sterilize instruments, rooms, and equipment, setup procedure trays, and support team where needed
• Ensure sufficient inventory of clean and sanitized instruments is available during each shift.

Qualifications:

• Spanish fluency is required (read, speak, and write)
• Infection Control Certification is required (we can help you in this getting this certification)
• A Dental Assistant with a current X-ray certificate is a plus
• Knowledge of OSHA and blood-borne pathogen regulations and infection control standards
• Significant background in providing outstanding customer service
• Strong computer skills; knowledge of Dexis and eClinical Works (eCW) is preferred.

Hours:

• Operating Hours: Mon., Tues. and Thurs.: 8:00 am – 8:00pm; Wed. and Fri.: 8:00 am – 5:00pm.

• Working Hours: 40 hours per week; working hours TBD, one to two evenings per week, a minimum of Thursday evening is required (11 am - 8pm)

Compensation and Benefits:

• Hourly rate range is $19 - $25 and is determined based on experience
• Covered insurance includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance/ AD&D, and employee assistance programs all 100% sponsored for employees.
• Paid time off (PTO): 9 paid Holidays off, PTO, and floating holidays (~27 paid days off in year 1)
• 401K retirement match, and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• We provide a $350 scrub allowance upon hire, and a $200 scrub allowance each year after the first.

We are big on fit, and while we will assess that fit, we understand that you are doing the same. Please apply with a brief cover letter, telling us what your interests are, and let’s collaborate together to do great things for our patients and our community!  

See the full job description below: 

Dental Sterile Technician

Reports to:         Dental Department Manager

FLSA Status:       Nonexempt, hourly

Summary of Duties:

The Sterile Technician works within a model of team-based care as part of the dental care team. The sterile technician supports the services we provide by supplying and maintaining a steady inventory of sterile instruments, trays, and equipment. The Sterile Technician is responsible for safely collecting, transporting, cleaning, and sterilizing instruments, as well as efficient setup and clean-up of dental trays and dental areas.  Chairside assistance and greeting of patients and escorting to the operatories may be necessary. Occasional front office duties include greeting patients, scheduling and confirming appointments, updating treatment records, and receiving payments. 

Essential Functions:

• Follow all strict and necessary OSHA and state dental sterilization and safety procedures and regulations
• Ensure all dental instruments, exam rooms, lab equipment, and dental areas are clean and sterilized.
• Safely collect, transport, clean, and sterilize dental instruments, following sterilization procedures
• Maintain instruments and sterilization equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines
• Ensure sufficient inventory of clean and sanitized instruments are available during each shift.
• Prepare tray setups for dental procedures and restock supplies where necessary
• Assist dental team in cleaning, sanitizing, and setting up rooms and trays between patients.
• Proper sterilization and/or disposal of potential infection sources.
• Support the Winters Healthcare Dental Department in maintaining a strict adherence to specific cleanliness guidelines in order to prevent infections and promote sterilization
• With appropriate experience and/or training, provide chair-side dental assistance to the dental provider;
• Participate in continuing education, staff development training, and attend staff meetings.
• Support quality improvement efforts, and participate in related activities as required.
• Assist front office with reception duties (e.g. register patients, schedule appointments, receive payments.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

Education, Certification/licensure and Work Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• A desire to advance in the dental field is a plus!
• Current infection control certification, and CPR certification
• Experience providing exceptional customer service

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Spanish fluency (speak, read, and write)

• Knowledge of OSHA, bloodborne pathogens, and general safety procedures.
• Ability to be flexible and shift gears quickly to assist other dental assistants and providers in patient care
• Well-organized and detail-oriented with the ability to establish and maintain working relationships with patients, employees and the public
• Requires effective oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and computer literacy.
• Experience operating standard office equipment

• Ability and comfort in building relationships with coworkers and patients
• Demonstrated team experience and proven successes in the implementation of team goals
• Significant background providing outstanding customer service
• A passion and dedication for serving the healthcare needs of our clients
• Knowledge of Dexis, eClinical Works (eCW), and Microsoft software applications
• Previous experience with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), low-income or medically underserved populations preferred

Other Requirements:

• Authorization and consent for Winters Healthcare to investigate candidate’s background with a consumer report for employment purposes, to evaluate candidate/employee for employment, promotion, reassignment, or retention as an employee

Operating hours:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 am – 8:00pm; Wednesday and Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00pm.

Working Hours:

• This position is full-time at 40 hours per week, one to two evenings per week (minimum of Thursday evening is required (11 am - 8pm))

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties and tasks of this job, Employee is regularly required to stand; walk; work on irregular surfaces;  reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat, twist, or crawl. This job requires physical effort and the ability to place or retrieve items below waist level may be required.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Employee occasionally may be required to transfer patients to/from a wheelchair. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by Employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environmental/ Working Conditions:

The environment is a standard dental office environment.  Regular office hours are Monday through Friday. Occasionally, evenings, weekends and overtime may be required.  Office hours may be changed as business needs dictate.  The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

While performing the duties of this job, the Employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, required to work near moving mechanical parts and sharp instruments, and may be at risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Salary : $19 - $25