Dental Assistant - CHWC - Community Health & Wellness : Job Details

Position Summary:

The Dental Assistant is responsible for supporting the dentist and dental hygienist in providing care to the patients of the health center. The Dental Assistant is responsible for chairside assisting, preparing and cleaning rooms, inventory control, and sterilization.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

* Prepares patients for examination and treatment.

* Documents patient history.

* Takes dental radiographs.

* Prepares operatory with necessary instruments.

* Assists chairside for all general dentistry procedures.

* Complies with Universal Precautions for infection control.

* Maintains and fully understands the importance of patient confidentiality, and HIPAA Compliance.

* Follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements.

* Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment. Routinely clean and stock operatory.

* Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatory and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment.

* Attends and participates in staff meetings.

* Functions in a safe and professional manner.

* Preforms other tasks as delegated and directed by the dentist or lead dental assistant in accordance with state laws and regulations.

* Other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Technical Ability

* Knowledge of dental assisting techniques related to all aspects of general dentistry.

* Knowledge of federal, state, an institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.

* Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulation and guidelines.

* Manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC, and American Dental Association (ADA) standards.

Behavioral

* Responds constructively to pressure situations and time limits.

* Able to accept constructive criticism and instruction while maintaining a positive attitude towards managers, programs and job responsibilities.

* Acts as a role model - willing to accept or volunteer on projects as opportunity arises.

* Exhibits loyalty to the organization and does not bring personal problems to work.

* Works effectively with others in a professional manner and knows how to be a team player.

* Effectively communicates with patients, co-workers and supervisors.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

* Exposure to blood or blood-borne pathogens which require OSHA training.

* Exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors, and or loud noises.

* Potential exposure to infectious waste, blood, body fluids, air contaminants, hazardous chemicals, and communicable/infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis B.

* Potential exposure to dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

* Require moderate physical activity and handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds.

* Require standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Additional General Requirements: Professional positive attitude, understanding of customer service principals, trustworthiness and excellent interpersonal skills.

Job Qualifications/Requirements:

* Current CPR certification

* ICE Certification

* Radiology Certification

* Certified Dental Assistant preferred- must obtain CDA within 6 months of hire date

Language Skills: Must speak, write and read English proficiently. Spanish preferred but not required.

Licensure/Certification Required:

* Current CPR certification

* ICE Certification

* Radiology Certification

* Certified Dental Assistant preferred- must obtain CDA within 6 months of hire date

Standard Requirements:

* Supports an ethical standard, which complies with a code of conduct free of conflicts of interest.

* Supports the Mission and Values of Community Health & Wellness Center.

* Supports, cooperates with, and/or implements specific procedures and programs for:

* Safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management, and security, report and/or correct unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs.

* Confidentiality of all data, including patient, employee and operations data.

* Quality Assurance and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

* Compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.

* Cooperates and works together with all co-workers;

* Plans and completes job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.

* Uses tactful, appropriate communications in sensitive and emotional situations.

* Follows up as appropriate with supervisor and co-workers regarding reported complaints, problems and concerns.

* Promotes positive public relations with co-workers, patients, family members and guests.

Physical Effort/Environment:

Physical Demands- (More than 4 hours per day)-Requires walking, bending, sitting, standing, writing, reading, telephone use, data input into computer, and high level of audio and visual acuity. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds.

Manual Dexterity Required-Ability to use a keyboard, computer, and telephone and other duties that require fine motor skills.

Virtual Environment-Proficient in utilizing virtual meeting platforms (Teams, Zoom, etc) for CHWC-related meetings, training, etc.

General Competencies-All Staff

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies and skill sets:

Skill Set; Communications

Oral Communication - The ability to express oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others. Speaks clearly and can be easily understood; requires good listening skills. Organizes ideas clearly in oral speech. Expresses ideas concisely in oral speech. Summarizes or paraphrases his/her understanding of what others have said to verify understanding and prevent miscommunication. Has a pleasant and respectful attitude when: communicating with coworkers, patients and internal/external clients.

Written Communication - The ability to express oneself clearly in business writing. Expresses ideas clearly and concisely in writing. Organizes written ideas clearly and signals the organization to the reader (e.g. through an introductory paragraph or through the use of headings). Writes using concrete, specific language. Spells correctly. Writes grammatically. Uses punctuation correctly.

Interpersonal Awareness - The ability to notice, interpret, and anticipate others' concerns and feelings, and to communicate this awareness empathetically to others. Understands the interests and important concerns of others. Notices and accurately interprets what others are feeling, based on their choice of words, tone of voice, expressions, and other non-verbal behavior. Understands the unspoken meaning in a situation. Says or does things to address others' concerns.

Customer Orientation - The ability to demonstrate concern for satisfying one's external and/or internal customers. Quickly and effectively solves customer problems. Talks to customers to find out what they want and how satisfied they are with what they are getting. Lets customers know he/she is willing to work with them to meet their needs. Helpful, positive manner with peers, subordinates and customers.

Skill Set; Achieve Results

Technical Expertise - The ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in key work process areas. Is sought out as an expert to provide advice or solutions in his/her area. Is knowledgeable in the tools used to support key work processes. Can train and coach key work processes to staff in their area. Is aware and follows agency policy and procedures consistently.

Initiative - Identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it. Seeks out others involved in a situation to learn their perspective. Takes independent action to change the direction of events.

Results Orientation - The ability to focus on the desired results of one's own work, setting challenging goals, focusing efforts on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations. Finds or creates ways to measure performance against goals. Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing assigned work.

Thoroughness - Ensuring that one's own work and information are complete and accurate. Sets up procedures to ensure high quality of work (e.g. review meetings). Verifies information. Checks the accuracy of own work. Develops and uses systems to organize and keep track of information or work in progress. Carefully prepares for meetings and presentations.

Skill Set; Self-Management

Stress Management - The ability to continue to function effectively when under pressure and maintain self-control in the face of hostility or provocation. Remains calm under stress. Can effectively handle several problems or tasks simultaneously. Controls his/her response when criticized, attacked, or provoked. Maintains an appropriate sense of humor under difficult circumstances.

Personal Credibility - Demonstrated concern that one be perceived as responsible, reliable, and trustworthy. Does what he/she commits to doing. Is honest and forthright with people. Takes responsibility for own mistakes; does not blame others. Conveys a command of the relevant facts and information. Accepts direction and delegated tasks and is receptive to constructive criticism.

Receipt and Acknowledgement

I acknowledge and understand that:

* Receipt of the job description does not imply nor create a promise of employment.

* The job description provides a general summary of the position in which I am employed, that the contents of this job description are job requirements and, at this time, I know of no limitations which would prevent me from performing these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. I further understand that it is my responsibility to inform my supervisor at any time that I am unable to perform these functions.

* Job duties, tasks, work hours and work requirements may be changed at any time.

* Acceptable job performance includes completion of the job responsibilities as well as compliance with the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of Community Health & Wellness Center.