Dental Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Performs those duties which assist the dental director, dentists, and hygienists in the care and treatment of patients. Performs duties in the field of reception, chairside assisting, inventory and records.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Achieve Results

1. Ensure the safe, productive, and efficient operation of the dental clinic through timely and attentive administrative and clinical support (as authorized or licensed).

2. Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience, treated with the care and compassion expected.

3. Ensure all patient records and related documents are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.

Operational Excellence

4. Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties complies with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.

Relationships

5. Develop favorable relationships with all patients. Instruct patients and their family members training and /or information related to in-home care as appropriate.

6. Develop and ensure ongoing, positive relationships and collaboration with dentists, registered dental hygienists, residents, administrative and clinic operations staff.

7. Ensure the success of each clinic operation through collaborative support and working relationships with all clinic operations staff.

Stewardship and Professionalism

8. Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the organization at all times.  Represent the organization in a highly professional manner at all times.

9. Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures. 

PRIMARY TASKS & DUTIES:

• Assists the dentists and hygienists in chairside procedures routinely done in a general dental practice.

• Responsible for preparation and setting up of instruments, materials, and equipment necessary for each procedure.

• Responsible for the sterilization of instruments, and the cleaning and routine maintenance of equipment and work areas.

• Schedules patients as needed, does routine reception work as needed.

• Accurately records information on patient records.

• Helps implement the processing of encounters and billing and bookkeeping procedure.

• Helps to identify related medical and/or social problems.

• Maintains inventory of supplies and materials as well as maintaining thorough and accurate documentation of inventory.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KEY COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrate a high level of skill at building relationships and customer service.

• Demonstrate interpersonal savvy and influence skills in managing difficult clients and patients. Ability to work with a diverse, sometimes difficult and demanding patient population.

• Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.

• Knowledge and ability to use requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data.

• Utilize computers in the collection, management, and reporting of patient records.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Non-essential Functions:  Supports to organization as needed.

Position requirements / Job qualifications:

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Certificate of Completion for Dental Assistant Studies, preferred

• Valid CPR/BLS certificate.

Experience

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective communication with patients and coworkers.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with patients and staff.

• Demonstrated ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare and maintain chart, records, logs, and reports.

• Demonstrated success with clear thinking and ability to reorganize as needed.

• Demonstrated success in working independently, prioritization and problem solving.

• Demonstrated success in organization abilities.

• Demonstrated success in computer skills including ability to use computer for scheduling and reasonable keyboard skills.

• Demonstrated success and experience with direct patient services and the proper knowledge and use of dental devices and sterilization equipment.

Physical/mental demands:  The physical/mental demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  

• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance on two feet, stoop, kneel, crouch, or reach with hands and arms.  

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  

• Mental demands include the ability to learn, adapt to changes, and become proficient quickly, pay close attention to details, courteous and professional demeanor, ability to deal with stress of meeting deadlines and adhere to company policies and procedures.)

OSHA BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN CLASSIFICATION:

☒Category I: Job classification includes ALL employees who have occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (blood or body fluids) while performing their job duties.

☐Category II: Job classification includes employees who are likely to have SOME occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens because Category I tasks may occasionally be required.

☐Category III: Job Classification includes those employees who perform jobs and tasks where NO CONTACT with blood borne pathogens occurs and Category I and Category II tasks ARE NOT a condition of employment.