Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Position Summary

To assist the dental provider in the delivery of dental services to Sea Mar Community Health Center patients demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients being served. Also included in the position is to assist with the coordination of clinic activities in regard to training, patient flow, and participation in the ordering of supplies, inventory, and equipment maintenance.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:

• Understanding and empathizing with client needs
• Surpassing client expectations
• Demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Exhibiting compassion and commitment
• Advocating for social justice
• Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
• Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology

As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Anticipate and provide to Dental Providers all necessary chair side assistance using four-handed dentistry technique (as specified in the Dental Assistant Manual) with procedures in categories as required: Diagnostic, Preventative, Restorative, Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontic, Orthodontics and other services allowed by the Washington Dental Practice Act.
• Identify and categorize each patient's age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescents, and geriatric patients
• You must escort each patient to and from the treatment rooms. Greet, seat, and depart patients, being courteous and professional at all times, especially when talking to patients or discussing confidential information.
• You are responsible for communicating provider delays and delays in patient flow to the front desk staff as well as the patient.
• Provide patient education and instructions to patients before, after, and during any dental procedure.
• Participate in scheduling appointments arriving, and departing patients in Dentrix and registering patient in Allscripts PM.
• Have the ability to complete thorough, accurate charting in Dentrix using S.O.A.P. or P.A.R.T.S. format.
• Obtain accurate blood pressure readings and other vital signs as directed by Dental Provider.
• Maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and the sterilization areas.
• Assist in doing inventory and the ordering of dental supplies
• Perform the responsibilities outlined in the "Task & Duty List" (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.
• Participate in the Quality Improvement Activities of the Dental Department and of Sea Mar Community Health Centers (assigned by Dental Assistant III or the Dental Supervisor/Regional Manager).
• Assist patients, both private pay and with insurance, by providing treatment plans and cost estimates and sequencing of treatments. Complete insurance pre-authorizations; verify patient eligibility and benefits as directed by Dental Assistant III, Dentist, Dental Supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.
• Maintain proper records for: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), spore tests, inventory and ordering of dental supplies, maintenance of equipment and complete inventory lists, checking and maintaining of the N2o and O2 cylinders, and, in standalone dental sites, updating the Emergency Kit Log.
• Assist the Dental Assistant III and the Dental Supervisor or Regional Manager, in coordinating the training of new employees and/or dental trainees.
• Responsible to work on specific clinical or administrative duties assigned and approved by the Dental Supervisor, Clinic Manager, Regional Dental Manager or Management.
• The duties and responsibilities for this position may vary with changes occurring in the clinic activities or requirements. The supervisor or Regional Dental Manager may assign temporary work in other departments or other dental sites.

Conditions of Employment

This person must sign an oath of permanent confidentiality covering all patient related information. This person must receive a background check from the Washington State Patrol. The new employee shall sign and date the job description to affirm the validity of the information herein, and to signify compliance with the conditions of employment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform satisfactorily the requirements listed in the task and duty list above. Below are general qualifications and abilities that the position may require to perform the task and duty list successfully:

• Operate in a manner that will prevent employees/patients exposure to communicable diseases through proper infection control.
• A Dental Assistant I or a New Hire who meets the requirements or qualification to hold the DAII position must pass the DAII Competency Test and Practical with a minimum score of 80% or above to be advanced or hired to the DAII position.

LANGUAGE/MATHEMATICS SKILLS

• Must be able to communicate, read and write in English.
• Have the ability to read and interpret common written materials about dentistry.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients and staff both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to communicate basic 3 mathematical figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Education, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations, and Medical Screening

• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Have completed a formal Dental Assistant program at a College, Technical Institute or equivalent.
• A minimum of 6 months of work experience is required. Employee with no formal training must have a minimum of 18 months' work experience in a Dental Assistant position.
• All Dental Assistants must be registered with the Washington State Department of Health. Failure to keep current on your registration will be grounds for disciplinary action, including suspension and up to termination.
• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• TB testing annually and a current Washington State Dental Registration. Additional Requirements
• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required
• Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee may be required to share work space with other employees. Adequate lighting and equipment are available to the employee. Use of ergonomic office furniture will be used when available and appropriate. Some traveling may be required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands that must be met by a Dental Assistant are those required to successfully perform the essential functions of dental assisting in dentistry. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requirements for performing the duties of this job as a dental assistant:

• The position regularly requires the physical demands to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.
• Is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must be able to lift or