Orthodontic Assistant, Part-Time

Milton Hershey School (MHS) is one of the world’s best private schools, where pre-K through 12th grade students from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking greater opportunity can explore their individual interests to the fullest. Thanks to the generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey, the school is fully endowed with the resources to ensure every child and staff member has what they need to succeed. The school has prepared almost 12,000 graduates to lead fulfilling and productive lives and is expanding to serve more students in the coming years.
MHS is seeking a part-time *10-Month Dental/Orthodontic Assistant. This position assists the dentist/orthodontist chairside, adjusts orthodontic appliances as directed by the orthodontist, and maximizes the delivery of orthodontic procedures. Some of the responsibilities are:

• Expose and process digital x-rays (e.g., panoramic, cephalometric, and intraoral radiographs). Capture pre-treatment, progress, and post-treatment photos.
• Track, schedule, and reschedule daily student dental appointments and transmit appropriate dental appointment communications.
• Maintain/update electronic health records accurately and in a timely manner.
• Take diagnostic impressions, pour models, and upload digital orthocasts; Track/manage incoming/outgoing laboratory cases.
• Assess/update clinic inventory and order supplies in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Demonstrate good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity when preparing teeth for bonding and de-bonding braces and changing archwires and elastics while ensuring patient safety.
• Provide patient education and proper oral care instruction in preparation of and following orthodontic procedures.
• Maintain and sterilize instruments and equipment according to OSHA/CDC regulations; Follow proper infection control procedures during operatory turnover, instrument processing, and housekeeping procedures.
• Access multiple computer applications and documents for information relevant to appointment scheduling (E-mail communications, Off-Campus and Absentee reports, Personnel bulletins, computer software systems, schedule changes and updates).
• Provide administrative assistance with office management duties – answer telephones, retrieve voicemail, typing, filing, and scanning.
• Maintain open communications within the Dental Department and with personnel of Student Health Services, Home Life, Scholastics, and parent/sponsors.

Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:15 pm and select 5-7 Friday dates shared in advance. *A 10-month work schedule typically includes a summer break (early June to Aug 1). Hourly pay rate: $22.78 to $30.41, pay is determined based on experience. Part-time employees are eligible for a retirement savings plan, an employee assistance program (EAP), free lunches when on duty, and Hershey area discounts.

• Vocational or other technical school, certification, training, or apprenticeship beyond High School, required.
• Minimum 2 years' experience in family, pediatric or orthodontic practice performing hands-on chair-side assistance.
• PA X-ray certification required (demonstrate either two contact hours or four continuing education units every four years to satisfy DEP requirements).
• Ability to take accurate dental records: digital photos, Cephalometric, panoramic, and intra-oral films, and mount films/photos properly for evaluation.
• Strong clinical chair-side assisting skills.
• Working knowledge of dental terminology and armamentarium.
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills to communicate post-operative and oral hygiene instruction required.
• Computer skills and ability to learn new systems quickly. Familiarity with Dolphin and Dentrix a plus.
• CPR/AED & First Aid Certification.
• OSHA training.
• Spanish Fluency a plus.
• Candidate must demonstrate a high degree of integrity, as all MHS staff are role models for MHS students.