Dental Hygienist

• University of Colorado Anschutz
• Department: College of Nursing
• Job Title: Dental Hygienist
• Position #: 00854000 – Requisition #: 41453

Job Summary

Nature of Work

The CU College of Nursing is seeking a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefits-eligible Dental Hygienist within its Federally Qualified Health Center, Sheridan Health Services, located in southwest Denver, CO (zip code: 80236).

This Dental Hygienist will provide quality oral health care to patients at the primary location and community settings.

Sheridan Health Services (SHS) seeks a compassionate, skilled, and collaborative Registered Dental Hygienist to provide comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare services for pediatric and adult patients.

This position plays a vital role within an integrated healthcare environment that supports Behavioral Oral Health Integration (BOHI), Medical Dental Integration (MDI), Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) models of care.

This position serves as a clinical provider, educator, patient advocate, and collaborative member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in patient care, documentation, quality improvement, community outreach, regulatory compliance, and student mentorship while supporting the mission, vision, and strategic goals of SHS and the University.

Clinic Description

Sheridan Health Services is a multi-site, nurse-managed federally qualified community health center, funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Primary Healthcare, and is a collaborative effort between the College of Nursing and the Sheridan School District.

There are now two convenient locations to serve community health needs primarily for residents of Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson counties.

Sheridan Health Services is located in southwest Denver on the Fort Logan campus and provides services to adults and children, 65%25 of whom identify as Latinx, and 42%25 of whom are best served in another language, with Spanish being the predominant second language.

Services offered include primary care across the lifespan; prenatal and postpartum care, gynecology, dentistry, pharmacy, health, and outpatient substance abuse treatment.

nursing.cuanschutz.edu

Supervision Received

Work is performed under the general direction and authority of the Sheridan Health Services Dental Director.

Examples of Duties Performed

Assesses dental conditions and treatment needs utilizing patient screening procedures, including review of medical, dental, and behavioral health histories, medications, allergies, radiographs, and dental/periodontal charting to formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis.

Delivers direct patient care and performs dental hygiene procedures in accordance with Colorado licensure and established standards of care.

Performs preventive and periodontal procedures for patients of all ages, including prophylaxis, full mouth debridement, scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, polishing, and flossing.

Obtains and documents vital signs, blood glucose levels, oral pH, salivary flow measurements, and other screenings as indicated by clinic policy and procedures.

Maintains accurate, timely, and complete documentation in Epic and related electronic health record systems, including dental histories, treatment plans, procedures, referrals, consultations, prescriptions, and patient communications.

Takes, processes, and evaluates dental radiographs; collaborates with the dentist regarding diagnostic findings and additional imaging needs.

• Refers patients to dentists or specialists for treatment beyond the scope of dental hygiene practice.
• Applies fluoride treatments, sealants, and caries-arresting medicaments as indicated.
• Takes impressions and prepares study models as needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge of documentation, coding, billing, and compliance best practices.
• Manages resources responsibly and supports fiscally sound clinical operations.
• Records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff.
• Documents laboratory procedures and follows up on results as appropriate.
• Educates patients and families regarding oral hygiene, caries prevention, periodontal disease prevention, and other oral health topics.
• Cleans, sterilizes, and maintains instruments and equipment in compliance with infection control standards.
• Participates in Behavioral Oral Health Integration (BOHI), Medical Dental Integration (MDI), Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) initiatives.
• Collects and reports data for grant, quality improvement, and performance measurement activities.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, chart audits, regulatory compliance activities, and accreditation processes.
• Orients dental doctoral students, dental assistant students, and dental hygiene students as assigned.
• Assists with inventory management, ordering, and maintenance of dental equipment and supplies.

Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team, utilizing key performance indicators to support innovative and cost-effective changes to practice.

Ensures compliance with University, College, professional, HIPAA, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory requirements.

Participates in provider and staff recruitment, credentialing activities, and departmental meetings as requested.

Serves as a professional role model and supports the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of Sheridan Health Services and the University of Colorado.

This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business need. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.

Work Location

On-site - Sheridan Health Services, 3525 W. Oxford Avenue, Unit G1, Denver, CO 80236. This position provides care at the primary location and in community settings, with travel to community outreach locations as required.

Why Join Us

CU Nursing is an amazing place to be. We have the distinct advantage of being a part of a huge medical campus with three incredible hospitals – the VA, the nationally ranked University of Colorado Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado where our nursing students and faculty learn every day.

From our beginning 125 years ago as part of the School of Medicine at CU Boulder to our current home at the Anschutz Medical Campus, the college has been a recognized leader in nursing education (ranked #10 in online MS graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report 2023).

Our faculty, students, and staff have been instrumental in shaping the profession of nursing and teaching the next generation of nurses while treating patients in our own nurse-led clinics. Be a part of an innovative, dynamic, diverse, and exciting workplace -- helping make great things happen. Join us in our quest to boldly transform health together.

Why Work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service
• There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygiene program.
• Current, unrestricted Colorado Dental Hygienist license or eligibility to obtain licensure by date of hire.
• Current BLS/CPR certification or ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of clinical dental hygiene experience.
• Experience in a community health center, public health, academic, or integrated healthcare setting.
• Experience with Epic Wisdom or similar electronic health record systems.
• Conversational Spanish/English bilingual proficiency in a clinical setting.
• Experience working with diverse and underserved populations.
• Experience teaching, precepting, or mentoring healthcare students.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• Must participate in health plan credentialing and contracting activities as required.
• Must remain credentialed with health plans accepted by Sheridan Health Services.
• Must comply with University, College, SHS, and professional policies and procedures.
• Must be able to work in a clinical environment with exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.
• Must be willing and able to travel to community outreach locations as required.
• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a Colorado Dental Hygienist license by the date of hire.
• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid NPI number by the date of hire.
• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain valid Colorado Medicaid Provider enrollment by the date of hire.
• Must be willing and able to complete and maintain CAQH credentialing by the date of hire.
• Must be willing and able to actively participate in health plan contracts.
• Must be willing and able to treat both adult and pediatric populations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability