Hill Country Health and Wellness Center

Job Description

Job Title: Dental Assistant

Department: Dental

Rate of Pay: Based on Experience

Reports To: Dental Operations Director

Hours: 4/10’s Monday – Thursday or Tuesday – Friday

Location: Redding and Round Mountain

POSITION SUMMARY:

Mountain and/or Redding Under general supervision of a qualified dentist and clinic manager in an ambulatory care setting at the Round location. Provides assistance on all procedures authorized by the provisions of the Dental Practice Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned which may become essential to the position.

• Switch on compressor/water system and x-ray units in each room.
• Set up procedure trays for all a.m. patients.
• Flush water lines in operatories.
• Prepare treatment room for each patient (includes appropriate instruments, barriers, records and x-rays)
  • Greet, seat, bib, and prepare patient for treatment.
  • Review/update health history form
  • Verify pre-med is taken, if indicated
  • Check informed consent for updated information/signature
  • Take blood pressure on patients 18 and older
  • Develop a working knowledge of each patient’s record and where information is located

• 
  Take x-rays as indicated by Dentist.
• Chart entry for exams (missing teeth, restorations, etc).
• Assist dentist chairside at all times, including passing and receiving of instruments, oral evacuation and retraction and preparation materials. Be prepared to assist in the event of an emergency.
• Take alginate impressions.
• Sterilize instruments in accordance with OSHA guidelines; set up trays; put away instruments; sterilize exam rooms according to OSHA guidelines.
• Call prescriptions to pharmacy as directed
• Prepare filling of prescriptions for sliding scale patients according to protocol.
• Assist in keeping lab clean.
• Change cold sterilization solution according to guidelines.
• Change ultrasonic solution according to guidelines.
• Coordinate patients and procedures, keeping flow steady.
• Update supply order list; keep operatories stocked.
• Wipe counters, equipment, containers in sterilization room daily.
• Maintain dental equipment.
  • Lubricate hand pieces daily
  • Clean and maintain autoclave as specified by the preventative maintenance schedule.
  • Clean and maintain station, including waste water as needed or as specified by the preventative maintenance schedule
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Maintain current license through completion of required continuing education courses.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:

• Adhere to Policies and Procedures.
• Participate in team systems.
• Perform duties ethically.
• Maintain client confidentiality.
• Demonstrate ability to re-prioritize duties as needs arise.
• Use time efficiently.
• Be responsible for internal/external client satisfaction.
• Display flexibility in accepting, changing, and carrying out assignments.
• Maintain a neat, clean, and safe work environment throughout facility.
• Ability to communicate with team members effectively and professionally.
• Perform job duties in a quality manner.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Previous experience as a dental assistant preferred. Must have good working knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques. Must demonstrate ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.

Certificates and Licenses:

Current CPR certification and X-Ray license required.

Language Ability:

Must have intermediate level language skills. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before individuals, groups or employees of organization.

Math Ability:

Must have basic math skills. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability:

Must have intermediate level reasoning skills. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

Working knowledge of dental management software; Centricity a plus but not required.

Equipment Skills:

Working knowledge of all standard dental equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is an indoor business and dental office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with normal dental equipment noises and business office noises, computers, printers and phones. While performing the duties of this job, employee may regularly be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and chemicals; frequently may work near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to risks of radiation via x-rays; occasionally may be exposed to the risk of electrical shock and vibration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. Employee is frequently required to stand, sit and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Employee is occasionally required to walk and smell. Employee will frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Employee must utilize close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Previous experience as a dental assistant preferred. Must have good working knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques. Must demonstrate ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.

Certificates and Licenses:

Current CPR certification and X-Ray license required.

Language Ability:

Must have intermediate level language skills. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before individuals, groups or employees of organization.

Math Ability:

Must have basic math skills. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability:

Must have intermediate level reasoning skills. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

Working knowledge of dental management software; Centricity a plus but not required.

Equipment Skills:

Working knowledge of all standard dental equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is an indoor business and dental office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with normal dental equipment noises and business office noises, computers, printers and phones. While performing the duties of this job, employee may regularly be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and chemicals; frequently may work near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to risks of radiation via x-rays; occasionally may be exposed to the risk of electrical shock and vibration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. Employee is frequently required to stand, sit and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Employee is occasionally required to walk and smell. Employee will frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Employee must utilize close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.