DENTAL ASSISTANT III

Job Description - DENTAL ASSISTANT III (T232154)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is seeking a DENTAL ASSISTANT III. This position is for a chairside dental assistant in a busy residency program. Assistants work with various residents to provide a broad range of dental care to medically complex patients. The position will be responsible for providing support in various dental procedures including general dentistry, surgical procedures, and various types of anesthesia (nitrous, oral, and general). Chairside responsibilities include assisting in four handed dentistry, taking blood pressure, verbalizing instructions to patients, and obtaining patient consents. In addition to chairside responsibilities, assistants maintain rooms and equipment, take and process radiographs, and dispense supplies. During sedation procedures, assistants are responsible for attaching and detaching monitors, recognizing abnormal blood pressure and oxygen saturation readings, and reporting problems to residents/faculty. Assistants get to participate in a widely varying environment that includes access to general dentistry, inpatient hospital care, and dentistry in an OR setting. Work schedule is from 7:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Providing support in various dental procedures, assisting with surgical procedures, sedation and anesthesia; maintaining surgery rooms and equipment; taking and processing radiographs of patients and dispensing supplies.
2. Assist residents and faculty with anesthesia of all types to include conscious sedation, nitrous oxide and general anesthesia.
3. Obtain patient consent.
4. Attach and detach patients to monitors to acquire blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation; recognize abnormal readings and report problems to resident/faculty surgeon.
5. Chart patient vital signs throughout procedure.
6. Verbally communicate preoperative and postoperative instructions to patients.
7. Perform a variety of clerical and administrative duties in support of department.
8. Respond to the unique needs of all patients of all ages.
9. Provide assistance with advanced general dentistry cases and surgical procedures requiring sedation and anesthesia.

Hourly Rate: $16.00 - $20.50

QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate from an accredited Dental Assistant Program and two (2) years of related experience required. Work experience may substitute for education requirement.

1. Assist in four-handed dentistry.
2. Take blood pressure, recognize abnormal blood pressure and oxygen saturation readings, and report problems to residents/faculty.
3. Take and process radiographs.
4. Assist residents and faculty with anesthesia of all types to include conscious sedation, nitrous oxide, and general anesthesia.
5. Attach and detach monitors during sedation procedures.
6. Verbalize instructions to patients.
7. Maintain rooms and equipment.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.