Support Specialist Dental Programs; PT

Department: Health & Human Services - Dept

Employee Group: Professional/Technical

Status: Part-time

Starting Salary Range: $42,007-$52,509

Excellent benefits package. to view our benefits summary.

Purpose, Scope & Dimension of Job: The primary purpose of this job is to effectively assist the Dental Programs faculty and students to provide safe, routine dental care through the following duties:

• Responsible for inventory, care, maintenance, repair, cleaning and disinfection of Dental Clinics and laboratory equipment, supplies, and instruments. This applies to the needs of both Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs.
• Acts as Infection Control Officer to assure OSHA-mandated infection control standards are complied with and followed accordingly within the Dental Programs.
• Regularly consults with Dental Programs Coordinators.
• Maintains quality assurance of clinical practices under guidance of clinical faculty.

May provide orientation of and direction to work-study students assigned to assist with clinic duties.

• At least two years of clinical experience working in a Dental Assisting or Dental Hygiene clinic capacity.
• Must have current Michigan licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant or Hygienist or eligible to obtain same prior to hire date.
• Must be familiar with the care and cleaning of dental equipment such as Ultrasonic units, cavitrons, autoclaves, suction traps, ultrasonic cleaners, and x-ray equipment (Panoramic, Planmeca and Gendex). CPR certified or eligible to obtain certification upon employment.
• Strong follow-through and follow-up skills; must be tactfully and diplomatically assertive.
• Demonstrated work history of providing high quality, strong customer-oriented services which includes a “can do”, problem-solving orientation and ability to understand and meet customers’ needs.
• Demonstrated work history of coordinating work effort with others and working effectively and cooperatively with others in a team setting.
• Demonstrated willingness to accept accountability for and ownership of work, job and clinic operations.
• Excellent judgment skills in terms of interpersonal communications; ability to determine the appropriate approach and then employ a wide diversity of interpersonal strategies that results in timely action by others not under the person’s supervision; able to adapt to a variety of work situations and personalities.
• Able to utilize all programs on a computer independently and efficiently (particularly the internet, Word, Excel and the student database).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-versed in blood borne pathogen policies and infection control procedures.
• Previous position as infection control/ OSHA Compliance Officer.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods. Requires the ability to move about inside the office, the clinics, laboratories and occasionally traverse across campus. Able to retrieve objects on shelves that are four (4) or more feet from the ground.
• Must be able to move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with faculty, students, staff and the public.
• Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer independently.
• Manual and fine-motor dexterity essential to provide small engine and clinical equipment repairs on miniscule parts or electrical components.
• S/he must be able to converse with individuals on a regular basis with the ability to read, analyze, and interpret their needs via phone conversations, face-to-face conversations, or written documentation.
• Must be able to tolerate frequent exposure to a wide variety of chemicals which are common to the dental industry. Must be able to handle and mix compounds or chemicals properly and safely and to wear appropriate latex, vinyl or latex-free gloves and other personal protective equipment.

Days, Evenings – varies with clinic schedule. Reduced hours during Spring and Summer Sessions; general hiatus of 5 to 7 weeks, depending on dental…