Clinical Dental Assistant - High Level and La Crete Alberta

Competition 1535

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).     

This position has a term length of 6 months from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension.

Location - This is an in-person role at La Crete and High Level Alberta. Travel will be provided to and from at the end of each staffing rotation.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the School of Dentistry Satellite Dental Clinics

The School of Dentistry Satellite Dental Clinics provides oral health care services to the communities of High Level and La Crete, Alberta.  Our Instructor lead students offer treatment to patients in these locations on a rotating schedule during the school term. 

This is an in-person position and the successful candidate will either live in one of the communities and be able rotate between clinics on a weekly basis or be willing to fly into High Level and stay in the communities during the active periods.  The department has a university vehicle that this position would drive weekly to transport staff and students between locations. Shared housing is also available for out of town staff and students.

We will provide the training required to fulfill this position.

The work schedule is based on the department's academic schedule and operational requirements. This entails a rotating schedule for 32 – 35 weeks per year, with recurring inactive periods from mid-December to January and mid-July to early September with a few inactive weeks typically in February, March & November. The schedule for the school year is provided well in advance, which offers the perfect flexibility for the right individual.

Position 

The Clinical Assistant assists with the coordination of clinical operations - they will work closely with the Clinical Business Analyst, the Registered Dental Assistant, and the Patient Services Clerks.

This position provides chairside dental assisting to undergraduate dental and dental hygiene students and instructors within the scope of practice for a Clinical Assistant. The Clinical Assistant mentors dental and dental hygiene students on skills during the delivery of dental treatment and is required to anticipate student needs for assistance. This position also assists with Infection Prevention Control, including sterilization of dental instruments.

Duties 

• Prepares dental clinic for daily operations – cleans, disinfects, organizes and maintains all dental units
• Prepares dental materials, supplies and sterilized instruments for clinical use
• Decontaminates, sorts, inspects and sterilizes all instruments, trays and equipment as per CSA, OSAP and AHS guidelines for infection control and sterilization
• Adheres to department protocols regarding wrapping, packaging, monitoring and distribution of all instruments and equipment
• Organizes clinic instruments for operational use, utilizes color coding for sterilized cassette and instrument packages 
• Monitors and reports on a daily basis sterilizer spore strip test results to ensure sterilizers are functioning at an optimal level
• Follows universal and department specific precautions and regulations for infection control protocols
• Ensures that IPC protocols and procedures are followed in the clinic operations 
• Assists students and instructors with the patient treatment process
• Assists with treatment preparation and anticipates students’ need for assistance
• Monitors and maintains inventory of all dental materials/instrumentation/equipment to ensure adequate supplies for clinical operations

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma is required
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and perform tasks accurately with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintain cooperative working relationships

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary certificate in a related field is an asset, but not required
• Knowledge of dental materials management, dental instrumentation and dental equipment is an asset, but not required
• Previous experience in a clinical setting is an asset, but not required
• Current CPR: Health Care Provider Level C certification; WHIMS is an asset, but not required