Dental Assistant III

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.

Position Summary

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization. To assist in the delivery of dental services to Sea Mar Community Health Center patients demonstrating excellent knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients being served. To use personal judgment, initiative, and leadership to assist in the coordination of clinic activities in regards to training and scheduling of back office staff, patient flow, and oversight of supply inventory and ordering, and equipment maintenance and inventory. Has the responsibility of assisting supervisors and management in providing exceptional customer service.

Core Values

• 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
• Continuously 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.

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.
• Must be able to 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.
• Participate in scheduling appointments arriving, and departing patients and reviewing provider schedules 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.
• Oversee/maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and sterilization areas.
• Perform the responsibilities outlined in the “Task & Duty List” (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.
• Actively participate in the Quality Improvement Activities and the adherence to Joint Commission compliance of the Dental Department and of Sea Mar Community Health Centers throughout the year (assigned by the Dental Supervisor, Regional Dental manager or Clinic Manager).
• Oversee/maintain proper records for: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), spore tests, inventory and ordering of dental supplies, maintenance of equipment, checking and maintaining of the N20 and O2 cylinders, and updating/maintaining the Emergency Kit Log.
• Be able to assist patients, both private pay and with insurance, by providing treatment plans with cost estimates and sequencing of treatment. Complete insurance pre‑authorizations, verify patient eligibility and benefits.
• Responsible for working on specific clinical or administrative duties assigned and approved by the Dental Director or Dental Supervisor/Regional Dental Manager/Clinic Manager. Duties and responsibilities for this position may vary with changes occurring in the clinic activities or requirements.
• The supervisor Regional Dental Coordinator may assign temporary work in other departments or other dental sites.
• Assist Supervisor/Regional Dental Manager/Clinic Manager in scheduling of dental assistants.
• Demonstrate effective leadership skills and set a positive example when assisting the Dental Supervisor, Regional Dental Manager or Clinic Manager in implementing organization and departmental policies, and/or changes in organization and department policies, communicating well, verbally and in writing.
• Assist the Dental Supervisor and Regional Dental Manager in coordinating and training new employees, Dental Trainees and other dental assistants.
• Provide exceptional customer service by maintaining an efficient patient flow, eliminating “bottlenecks”, reducing wait times and addressing patients’ questions appropriately.
• Responsible for notifying the Dental Supervisor and Regional Dental Manager/OR Clinic Manager and the Dental Director, when appropriate, of departmental performance concerns, policy violations and other feedback that may affect the operations, customer service or patient flow.

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. The Dental Assistant must have a current Washington State Dental Assisting Registration. In order to be eligible for the DAIII position, the employee must pass the DAIII Competency test and DAIII Clinical Evaluation.

LANGUAGE/ MATHEMATIC SKILLS

Must be able to communicate, read and write in English. Have the ability 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 mathematical figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages. Must be able to respond to common inquires or complaints from customers, insurance agencies, or other members of the health profession. 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. Must have 2 years working experience. Employees with no formal training must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a Dental Assistant position. All Dental Assistants must keep a current Dental Assistant Registration failure to do so will result in 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. Must maintain a current Washington State Dental Registration from the Department of Health, failure to have a current registration will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and up to termination.

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 move a child or object of an average weight (up to 50 lbs.). Vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distant, vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Hourly - Hourly Plan, 24.28 USD Hourly

What We Offer: Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full‑time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical Dental Vision Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays
• 401(k)/Retirement options
• Opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment

Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, 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 regardless of their ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 clinics.