Dental Hygienist at Medical Services in Fort Logan

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) connects people to assistance, resources and support for living independently in our state. We are the people who help people. Colorado has a state-supervised and county-administered human services system. Our mission is collaborating with our partners to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Our vision is that the people of Colorado are safe, healthy, and prepared to achieve their greatest aspirations. Through our core values listed below, CDHS staff is committed to:

• Individual dignity and respect;
• Person-centered, evidence based care;
• Trauma informed recovery;
• Multidisciplinary collaboration;
• Diversity and inclusion;
• Strong family and community partnerships.

The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHHIFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to persons with complex, serious, and persistent mental illness within the resources available. Our mission is to support those individuals in achieving their recovery goals and reaching their full potential. CMHHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adult patients, generally between the ages of 18-59. The hospital currently has 138 adult inpatient beds, over six treatment milieus serving civil and forensic individuals. Medical services, occupational therapy, neuropsychological-rehabilitation services, and trauma-informed care services are available for all patients throughout the hospital.

The Medical Services work unit exists to promote and protect the health of patients by overseeing, providing and coordinating all medically related care and clinical analyses necessary for the proper evaluation and treatment of the hospital's patients and by managing the infection control, employee health and diagnostic testing services for the hospital. In addition, the Laboratory and Specimen Processing Center provides professional knowledge and expertise to ensure high-quality results.

The Dental Clinic is the primary dental provider for CMHHIFL hospital. The Dental Clinic provides comprehensive, preventative, and restorative dental care to the patients at CMHHIFL

Description of Job

The position exists to provide professional dental hygiene care directly to patients, to provide consultation and education to healthcare staff, and to ensure seamless dental clinic operations at CMHHIFL. Duties include:

Dental Hygienist:

Provide excellent patient care and service by independently providing quality dental hygiene services such as:

• Remove deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth by scaling with hand, ultrasonic, or other devices from the surfaces of the tooth
• Smooth and polish natural or restored tooth surfaces
• Apply preventative materials such as the application of fluorides, sealants, and other topical agents for the prevention of oral disease
• Perform patient screenings such as patient history, oral health assessments, dental charting, etc.
• Take dental radiographs using dental radiographic equipment
• Prepare study casts
• Assist dentist with dental procedures
• Administer topical anesthesia
• Educate, instruct, and counsel healthcare personnel and patients
• Screens dental radiographs and determines if new radiographs need to be taken
• Uses professional dental hygiene standards to evaluate and assess patient complaints and conditions to make care recommendations.
• Creates a therapeutic program specific to the patient to address dental hygiene issues.

Dental Clinic Management:

Manages the dental clinic in an administrative capacity, such as but not limited to:

• Triage dental care requests. Evaluates urgency, determines the level of need and arranges the clinic schedule accordingly. Consults with dentist when clinically indicated
• Schedule and manage clinic patient flow
• Coordinate, track, and ensure all inspections, certifications (e.g, equipment, CDPHE radiation registrations, etc.) remain up-to-date.
• Order and procure supplies
• Monitor expiration dates
• Maintain SDS book, ensuring SDS sheets are current and updated as necessary
• Ensure equipment is inspected, serviced, and repaired as necessary after obtaining any necessary approvals
• Monitor budget
• Maintains current documentation of patient procedures and services using hospital systems (i.e., electronic health record, dental electronic record, etc.)
• Determines and adapts processes to ensure infection control and prevention standards are met
• Performs proper safety and infection control procedures such as disinfection/sterilization of dental tools, glove use, mask use, goggle use, etc.
• Reviews electronic health record workflows, adapts processes to ensure completed documentation in both the electronic health record and the dental health record (duplicate systems must be maintained).

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• Current, valid licensure as a dental hygienist from the from the Colorado Dental Board

Substitutions

No Substitutions

Special Qualifications:

• Active Colorado Dental Hygiene License, a Local Anesthesia Certification & BLS

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing comprehensive dental hygiene services including prophylaxis, periodontal assessments, scaling and root planing, and patient education.
• Experience performing conventional dental radiographs, periodontal charting, and documenting findings in electronic dental or medical record systems.
• Experience assisting with dental examinations and collaborating with a dentist to support diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Experience maintaining infection control and sterilization procedures in accordance with CDC guidelines, Joint Commission standards, and established dental clinic safety practices.
• Experience working independently in a small dental clinic environment with limited staff, coordinating daily dental hygiene services in collaboration with a dentist.
• Experience coordinating patient scheduling, appointment management, and daily clinic workflow in a dental setting.
• Experience supporting the day-to-day operations of a dental clinic, including maintaining dental equipment, instruments, and supplies to ensure readiness for patient care.
• Experience providing dental hygiene services in a public health, hospital, correctional, or institutional healthcare setting.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or complex medical needs.
• Strong knowledge of infection control, sterilization, and dental clinic safety standards.
• Experience using electronic health records (EHR) or electronic dental record systems.
• Strong patient communication skills with a focus on preventive oral health education.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a dentist and interdisciplinary healthcare staff while maintaining independent responsibility for dental hygiene services.
• Graduation from an accredited Dental Hygiene program.
• Current, valid licensure as a Dental Hygienist issued by the Colorado Dental Board.
• One year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Physical/Tests – Describe any special physical or test requirements: 2-step TB Test
• Eligible for shift work
• May be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals; x-ray
• Travel – Explain: May drive CDHS property. Such as lead aprons for inspection and may use state vehicle.
• Other: TB testing, annual influenza, and other vaccines as required by the State of Colorado.
• Full Background Check: CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).
• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border

• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  • Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
    
    

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process
A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.Comparative Analysis Process – Structured

Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here.
• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or
  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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.
    
    

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.
  
  

Supplemental Information

• How to apply to the State of Colorado(Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)
  
  

• The Assessment Process

About Us & Benefits

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• • Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

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