Dental Assistant

Job Details: Job Location: Bedford Community Dental Center - Bedford, VA, Salary Range: $18.00 - $20.00Hourly, General Position Summary:

The Dental Assistant assists the Director of Dentistry, Staff Dentist, and Dental Hygienist in the care and treatment of patients, filing patient charts, updating records, and performing administrative functions at Johnson Health Center (JHC).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Patient/Customer Relations:

Assists the Dentist and Dental Hygienist in chairside duties with patients, including seating the patient and providing appropriate instrumentation and materials for the intended treatment.
Educates patients on dental disease and preventative home care, including brushing and flossing techniques.
Serves as liaison to patients in telephone communications of medical/dental issues.

Staff Relations/Team Building:

Consults with the dentist and other members of the health care team as necessary. Acts to facilitate communication between the members of the health care team, including clinical and non-clinical staff.
 
Performs other necessary duties as required by JHC and as directed by the Dentist to meet the goal of providing oral health care services.

Clinical Duties:

Prepares dental patients for treatment, including updating and recording of medical and dental history and vital signs.
 
Prepares appropriate instrumentation and materials for dental procedures.
 
Assists the dentist or dental hygienist in the examination and treatment of patients.
 
Provides patient education and instruction in proper oral hygiene techniques and diet to promote dental health.
 
Provides post-operative instructions to the patient as prescribed by the dentist or dental hygienist.
 
Dismisses patients following treatment and accompanies them to the front desk after the dentist or hygienist completes the dental record.
 
Provides the following direct patient care as prescribed by the dentist or dental hygienist:

Obtains diagnostic digital X-rays, including bitewings, periapical films, and panorex
Performs dental prophylaxis
Applies fluoride varnish treatment
Places dental sealants
Places topical anesthesia
Removes sutures
 

Assists dentist or hygienist, when needed, in medical or dental emergencies.
 
Removes instruments after procedures; cleans and prepares them for sterilization.
 
Autoclave – Maintains water levels daily, loads instruments, runs sterilization cycle; then removes sterilized instruments and redistributes to proper locations.
 
Keeps operatories stocked with appropriate materials and instruments, including ordering supplies as needed to maintain office inventory.
 
Cleans operatories and all equipment used according to OSHA standards after each dental procedure.
 
Cleans suction lines and traps in operatories on a weekly basis.
 
Cleans traps in the equipment room every other week.
 
Cleans autoclaves and tests sterilization (using Biostrips) monthly.
 
Pulls trash from operatories and other clinic areas twice weekly.
 
Acts as liaison for the patient to convey medical and dental information to and from the dentist or hygienist during treatment-related phone conversations, as well as during clinic visits.
 
Assists with the school dental program in all areas of preparation and implementation.
 
Assists at the front desk, when available, answer phones, schedule appointments, and receive payment for services.
 
Physical attendance is an essential element of the job and necessary to perform the essential functions of the Dental Assistant position.

Administrative Duties:

Performs limited administrative functions involving treatment notes and charting for patient dental records and health histories.
 
Assists in performing front office procedures in the absence of the Patient Assistance Specialist, including checking in patients, receiving payments, and scheduling appointments.

Assists/coordinates with the school program, marketing, collecting data, and preparation as determined by JHC.

Performance Improvement Activities:

Attends staff meetings and participates in the JHC QI program.

Safety/Infection Control Activities:

Attends all mandatory OSHA infection control seminars and follows general OSHA guidelines for infection control, including “Universal Precautions.”
 
Abides by all JHC infection control policies, including acute response measures in the setting of a public health concern or disease outbreak.

Competencies:          

Works independently as a team member in a fast-paced environment.
 
Able to operate office equipment, computer, copier, fax, etc.
 
Must demonstrate proficiency with relevant computer programs.
 
Able to communicate effectively with both staff and patients.

Able to multitask with varied and unrelated duties.

Other Functions:

Staff will abide by the Code of Conduct as documented in the Corporate Compliance Manual.
 
Must demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to JHC and its mission.
 
Treats all patients and staff with dignity and respect, mindful of the cultural differences of the diverse population we serve.
 
Management may modify, add, or remove any job functions as necessary, or as changing organizational needs require.
 
Participates in community outreach activities as determined by JHC.
 

JHC Core Values:

Staff members must actively demonstrate dedication and commitment to the core values of JHC.

Respect – We value and respect each patient, their family, ourselves, and each other.

Every individual associated with Johnson Health Center will be treated with dignity and respect. We value and respect people’s differences, show empathy to our patients, their families and each other, and work collectively to build Johnson Health Center as a health center and an employer of choice.

Integrity – We are committed to doing the right thing every time.

Our actions reflect our commitment to honesty, openness, truthfulness, accuracy and ethical behavior. We are accountable for the decisions we make and the outcome of those decisions.

Excellence – We will pursue excellence each and every day in activities that foster, teamwork, quality improvement, patient care, innovation, and efficiencies.

At Johnson Health Center, our medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, front desk and administrative teams are passionately committed to the highest quality of care for our patients. We continually seek out ways to enhance the patient experience and promote an environment of continuous quality improvement.

Innovation – We value creativity, flexibility, and continuous improvement efforts.

We are advocates and instruments of positive change, encouraging employees to engage in responsible risk-taking and working to make a difference. Out of the box thinking enables us to build on successes and learn from failures.

Teamwork – We understand that teamwork is the essence of our ability to succeed.

We work across functional boundaries for the good of the organization. Our collaborative approach ensures participation, learning and respect and serves to improve the quality of patient care. By focusing on a team-based approach, the expertise of each Johnson Health Center employee is leveraged to optimize the patient experience.

Physical Demand and Working Environment:

Fast-paced office setting with travel to other offices often. Lifting and/or exerting force up to 35 pounds occasionally, with frequently moving of objects. Work requires speaking, sitting, bending, walking, standing, hearing, and stooping, kneeling, and repetitive motion with certain activities. OSHA high-risk position.Qualifications: Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Two to five years of previous experience in a dental setting is preferred.
The ability to work well with a team is required.
Working knowledge of MS Office products and general computer usage.
Excellent organizational skills required

Dental Radiology Certification Required