Job: CDOC Dental Assistant

• 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;

• 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

Who May Apply:  This position is only open to Colorado state residents. 

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;
• Arrange transport of inmates for appointments if indicated;
• 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;
• Responsible for monthly reports on all dental activities to Chief of Dental Services;
• May be required to travel to other facilities as needed to perform Dental Assistant services. 
• May be required to participate in restraining an inmate primarily for medical reasons.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must have two years of full-time, professional work experience as a Dental Assistant.  

• 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.

1. Experience working as a Dental Assistant in a correctional environment;
2. Dental Assistant Certification (attach certification);
3. Dental X-Ray Certification (attach certification);
4. At least two years of experience providing chair side assistance in General Dentistry.

The Assessment Process: Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum Qualifications (MQ's). Applicants that meet MQ’s will be included in the Comparative Analysis process. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.

Be sure the “Work Experience” section of your application is complete and specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments as they relate to the Description of the Job, Minimum Qualifications, Required Competencies and Preferred Qualifications as listed above. Resumes and “see resume” statements will not be accepted in lieu of the “Work Experience” section of the application. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants.

If you have transcripts, a license or other relevant documentation regarding your qualifications, upload and attach copies to your application.

If an unofficial copy of transcripts is being submitted at the time of application, transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution. 

In order to process a background investigation,  your application must include at least (10) ten years of the most current work experience unless experience related to the job for which you are applying is later than (10) years. Failure to provide this information could result in delays and/or elimination from the background investigation process

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this announcement for your records** 

Conditions of Employment: All job offers are contingent upon a successful medical screening by a healthcare professional, certifying the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position.  Applicant must consent to hold harmless CDOC and its agents and staff from any liability arising in whole or in part from the testing and the use of this information in connection with CDOC’s consideration of application for employment.

• Must be 21 years of age;

• Possess a valid driver’s license;

• 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 be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDOC uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. CDOC does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

• Successfully pass all modules of the 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.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Should applicant’s background reveal criminal charges, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide the Department of Corrections with written/official disposition of any charges.

The CDOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. Employees (see exception below) may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass. Random drug screening will occur throughout employment. 

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.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.