Dental Assistant

pPrimary Accountability/p pThe Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing the patient for dental treatment and assisting the dentist with various clinical dental procedures./p pbr/strongDescription of Primary Responsibilities/strong/p ol liResponsible for supporting and monitoring patient flow in the back office. ul liScrubs appointments in advance to ensure proper lab cases, finances, and information is available for the patient visit./li liAssists in the distribution of patients among dental providers, including walk-ins./li liKeeps patients informed of wait times and ensures patients are properly flowed in the system./li liUnderstands general front office workflows and is able to step in to support the front office when needed, and schedule patient appointments./li /ul/li liResponsible for performing various initial aspects of the patient visit. ul liGreets patients in the reception area and escorts the patient to the dental operatory./li liObtains vital signs and patient data./li liReviews health record with the patient and updates clinical information such as current medications, allergies, medical and surgical histories./li liPerforms documentation in the patient’s electronic health record according to policy and training./li liAssures completion of consent forms and signatures./li liOperation of dental radiographic equipment for the purpose of oral radiography./li liDisinfects/prepares the operatory, and sets up trays and dental armamentarium for treatment.nbsp;/li /ul/li liResponsible for performing supportive dental procedures under general supervision of a dentist. ul liSterilizing instruments under infection control protocol./li liAssisting the dentist during a variety of dental treatment procedures: charting, restorative, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics and pedodontics./li liAssures patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment./li liProvides patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures./li liProvides oral health education and oral hygiene instruction as needed.nbsp;/li liExplains as necessary dental treatment or procedures to the patient when questions are asked./li /ul/li liResponsible for performing various aspects of patient visit. nbsp;nbsp; nbsp; ul liTake impressions for diagnostic and opposing models, bleaching trays, temporary crowns and bridges, and sports guards with proper pour-ups./li liApply non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents./li liRemove post-extraction and periodontal dressings./li liApply topical fluoride, after scaling and polishing by the dentist/RDA./li liPlace and remove rubber dams./li liPlace wedge and remove matrices./li /ul/li liPerforms other duties as assigned or required for quality of care. ul liCommunicates with patients and suppliers (i.e., scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, coordinating equipment repairs, etc.)/li liResponsible for preparing and stocking dental operatories and monitoring adequate supplies in stock./li liResponsible for discarding of Biohazard waste and sharps./li liAccountable for weekly testing and weekly/monthly cleaning of sterilization equipment./li liResponsible for daily and weekly cleaning of water lines in the dental operatory units./li liResponsible for maintaining accurate and timely logs./li liAssists in other operatories or in front office if time allows or need is determined by the supervisor./li /ul/li liPerforms other duties as assigned./li /ol pstrongDescription of Primary Attributes/strong/p pProfessional amp; Technical Knowledge:/p ol liPossesses work-related skills at a higher level than completion of high school, including formal written and verbal communications skills, computational and computer skills, mathematical, technical or health care related knowledge frequently acquired through completion of a trade school, para-professional, or certificate type program./li liMust have proof of completing a Radiation Safety Course.nbsp;/li /ol pTechnical Skills:/p ol liAbility to prepare more complex documents in Microsoft Word, including creating tables, charts, graphs and other elements./li liAbility to use Microsoft Excel to review and compile data, including the use of formulas, functions, lookup tables and other standard spreadsheet elements.nbsp;/li liAbility to create basic presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint./li /ol pLicenses amp; Certifications:nbsp;/p ol liRequires a Dental Assistant certification.nbsp;/li liValid CA driver’s license.nbsp;/li /ol pCommunications Skills:/p ol liJob duties require the compilation of information prepared in effective written form, including correspondence, reports, articles or other documentation./li liEffectively conveys technical information to non-technical audiences./li /ol pPhysical Demands: The physical demands described here in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.nbsp;/p pWhile performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use repetitive hand movement to type and grasp. The employee is frequently required to stand or walk; and occasionally bend waist, twist waist, squat, climb, kneel, reach above shoulder height as well as below shoulder height, and/or move items up to 20 pounds./p pPay Scale:/p pMin Hourly Rate: $21.00/p pMax Hourly Rate: $28.60/p pnbsp;/p