Hospital Assistant - Dental Dispensary & Sterilization

Hospital Assistant I – Dental Dispensary & Sterilization

Employment Duration: 3 months

The Hospital Assistant I supports the UCSF School of Dentistry's Pre-doctoral Dental Clinic by providing essential dispensary and central sterilization services. This role plays a key part in maintaining dental inventory, supporting clinical operations, and ensuring the proper sterilization, distribution, and maintenance of dental instruments and supplies used by student providers delivering care to approximately 35,000 patients annually.

The position requires close collaboration with clinical teams and adherence to established protocols to support safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care and education.

• Support clinical activities within the Pre-Doctoral Dental Clinic.
• Dispense dental materials and equipment while maintaining proper inventory control.
• Provide guidance to students on the appropriate use of clinic materials and equipment.
• Service, assemble, and prepare clinic instrument kits for reuse.
• Monitor, clean, and restock supply carts, emergency carts, and disposable items.
• Perform routine maintenance of water and vacuum lines following safety and environmental guidelines.
• Prepare, clean, and sterilize contaminated dental instruments using approved equipment and protocols.
• Sort, process, and maintain dental instruments in accordance with sterilization standards.
• Monitor and document sterilization cycles and biological indicator testing.
• Ensure proper operation of instrument washers and autoclaves.
• Maintain accurate sterilization logs and distribution records.
• Support inventory monitoring and restocking within central supply areas.
• Assist with special events hosted by the School of Dentistry, including occasional weekend support.
• Distribute sterile instruments to student lockers.
• Collect contaminated instruments from clinics throughout the dental school.
• Perform routine sterilization equipment testing, cleaning, and maintenance.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment.
• Receive deliveries, verify documentation, and match supplies with purchase orders.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support clinic and departmental operations.

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. To see the salary range for this position, review the TCS Non-Academic Titles Search ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). The offer will consider the experience of the final candidate and the current salary level of individuals working at UCSF in a similar role. For roles covered by a bargaining unit agreement, there will be specific placement rules.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, visit .

UCSF's Temporary Employment Program (TEP) recruits and hires temporary employees for immediate clerical and technical support services to UCSF Departments and various off-campus locations. UCSF departments deploy temporary employees to work on special projects, fill in for regular employees on vacation or leave, or temporarily fill a vacant position during recruitment. Frequently temporary employees become successful candidates for career and limited appointment positions.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least two years of experience as a dental assistant or in dental instrument sterilization.
• Knowledge of dental terminology, materials, and equipment.
• Knowledge of dental sterilization procedures and equipment.
• Physical ability to meet the demands of the position, including lifting, standing, and repetitive hand use.

• Chairside dental assistant experience.
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification.
• Sterilization certification.

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and…