Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) - Calistoga

Registered Dental Assistant

Department: Dental

Reports To Title: Dental Back Office Supervisor

Location: Calistoga, CA

Pay Range: $29.32 to $35.83/hr, depending on year of experience

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

About CommuniCare+OLE: Established in 2023, CommuniCare+OLE is the result of a union of two health centers with a deep roots in their respective communities and reputations for providing high-quality primary care to all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay: OLE Health of Napa and Solano Counties and CommuniCare Health Centers of Yolo County. Building on a legacy established by both organizations in 1972, CommuniCare+OLE is a network of federally-qualified health centers with 17 sites across Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties. It offers comprehensive care, including medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use treatment, nutrition, optometry, pharmacy, care coordination, referrals, and enrollment assistance to more than 70,000 individuals, and no one is turned away due to lack of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. Many services are offered outside of its sites, including mobile health, home visiting, and community and school-based programs.

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage; Employer covers 90% of employee medical, dental and vision premium and 50% of dependent premium; 18 days of PTO (Vacation & Sick); 10 Paid Holidays + 1 Float Holiday; 2% employer match with employee 4% Contribution 403(b) retirement plan; Tuition Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per Calendar Year for part-time and full-time employees (prorated per Full-Time Equivalent); Life & Accidental Insurance Coverage; Employer contribution for Health Savings Account; Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Limited FSA Options

Job Summary/Overview

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) will perform a wide range of duties in the dental clinic and dental office. Tasks primarily (although not limited to) involve all duties of a Dental Assistant along with providing coronal polishes and sealants to pts of all ages as delegated by dentist(s). The RDA affects the efficiency and productivity of patient flow through timely, accurate, and professional patient interactions. The RDA will assist all dentistry procedures, take x-rays, clean and sterilize instruments, and prepare tray setups and materials. This position requires the flexibility to travel from site to site if needed.

Minimum Position Requirements: Education, Experience, Skills/Training

Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. One-year certificate from college or technical school; or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience/Lived Experience: Previous Dental Assistant or related experience highly preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Bilingual (English/Spanish) language preferred. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills required.

Special Skills/Training: Current CPR certification required. Must be licensed as a Registered Dental Assistant in the State of California and have proof of completion of a board-approved Radiation Safety, Coronal Polishing, Pit & Fissure Sealant Certificate, California Dental Practice Act, and Infection Control course. Driver's License Required.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Ability to perform all phases of four (4) handed dental assisting duties for preventative, restorative, endodontics, oral surgery, pedodontics, fixed and removable prosthodontics procedures for all ages.

2. Performs all permitted duties of a Registered Dental Assistant as delegated by the dentist and allowed by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Dental Board of California and Regulations - Chapter 3, Article 5, Section 1085.

3. Uses appropriate PPE during sterilization, maintaining clean to dirty flow of sterilization to prevent contamination.

4. Escorts patients to the dental chair and prepares them for dental treatment. Ensuring patient has a great customer service experience.

5. Prepares tray set-up for dental procedures and documents rooming workflows accurately and efficiently.

6. Operates dental radiography equipment to obtain diagnostic oral radiography per provider recommendation if the dental assistant has complied with the requirements of Section 1656.

7. Collects medical and dental histories, introral /extraoral photography and study models as needed.

8. Performs mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity to chart obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.

9. Takes intraoral impressions for all non-prosthodontic appliances.

10. Provides patients with oral hygiene instructions, preventive dental education, and post-op instructions per dentist's discretion.

11. Effectively pours study models and conducts other lab procedures.

12. Completes effective polishing of coronal teeth and application of pit and fissure sealants.

13. Fabricates, adjusts, places, and removes indirect provisional restorations, including acrylic temporary crowns and stainless-steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration.

14. Removes excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument.

15. Places and removes rubber dams or other isolation devices under direct supervision.

16. Places wedge and removes matrix for restorative procedures.

17. Cleans, sterilizes, and disinfects operatory instruments in accordance with department's policy and OSHA guidelines. Transports dirty instruments to the sterilization area for processing in a safe manner.

18. Follows policy and procedures including universal precautions as defined by OSHA's guidelines on Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazardous Materials standards.

19. Supports dental charting and documentation in patient's electronic medical records directed by the dentist.

20. Maintains patient confidentiality in accordance with department policy and HIPPA guidelines.

21. Ensures operatories are adequately stocked. Completes inventory of supplies and notifies supervisor of low inventory. Regularly checks expiration dates of materials.

22. Monitors and operates dental equipment, reporting any issues or troubleshooting as appropriate.

23. Performs daily, weekly, and/or monthly maintenance on equipment.

24. Independently recognizes and performs duties which need to be done without being directly assigned. Establishes priorities and organizes work with time to meet them.

25. Follows established Radiation Safety protocols.

26. Observes all health center and department policies governing conduct while at work (i.e., telephone and computer use, electronic messaging, smart watch use, smoking regulations, parking, breaks, and other related policies.)

27. Attends and participates in required meetings, trainings, and educational programs.

28. Support department's goal