Registered Dental Hygienist-Per Diem

Registered Dental HygienistCommunity health is about more than just vaccines and checkups. It's about giving people the resources they need to live their best lives. At Neighborhood, this is our vision. A community where everyone is healthy and happy. We're with you every step of the way, with the care you need for each of life's chapters. At Neighborhood, we are Better Together. As a private, non-profit 501(C) (3) community health organization, we serve over 500,000 medical, dental, and behavioral health visits from more than 100,000 people annually. We do this in pursuit of our mission to improve the health and happiness of the communities we serve by providing quality care to all, regardless of situation or circumstance. We have been doing this since 1969 and it is our employees that make this mission a reality. Regardless of the role, our team focuses on being compassionate, having integrity, being professional, always collaborating, and consistently going above and beyond. If that sounds like an organization you want to be a part of, we would love to have you.Role Overview and PurposeThe Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) improves the oral health of patients through the delivery of professional high-quality dental hygiene care and associated services. This role will perform broad responsibilities for clinic and community dental health education activities. Additionally, this role will support the dental team in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.ResponsibilitiesPatient CareProvides periodontal therapies and other dental hygiene related services to patientsAssesses patient dental conditions and needs using approved patient screening procedures, including medical/dental history review, chief complaints, dental charting, and periodontal chartingEvaluates overall oral health by examining oral cavity for signs of periodontal diseases, such as recessed or bleeding gums, and oral lesionsDocuments and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dentistsExposes digital radiographs and takes intra-oral photosFollows through with oral hygiene procedures in accordance with treatment plans prescribed by the attending dentist, including prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planning, debridement, supra/subgingival scaling and curettage, fluoride treatments, and protective sealantsAssists with or initiates emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patientsEducates patients in oral hygiene and dental care, including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, and need for professional care.Clinical Operations Support & ComplianceEnhances the efficiency of the clinic by performing expanded duties as allowable by law and directed by the dentistDocuments lab procedures and ensures follow up on resultsEnsures direct patient care is delivered using established dental hygiene proceduresEnsures all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory/accreditation standards and clinic policies and proceduresManages and maintains patient records and related administrative documentation to ensure all records and related documentation are consistent with all HIPM and related regulations and requirementsUtilizes the requisite tools, systems, technology, and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management, and collectionsManages the dental office infection control plan to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and American Dental Association (ADA) standardsEnsures compliance and attention to all corporate policies and proceduresMaintains state license through continuing education, as requiredCustomer & Community RelationsEnsures positive experiences for all patients, including treating patients with care and compassionAssists patients to feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatmentDevelops favorable relationships with all patients by interacting positively to provide information and education about oral hygieneInteracts positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient populationHandles and resolves patient concerns with enthusiasm and empathyEstablishes professional and favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with clinic operations, including patient services representatives, dental assistants, dentists, and related staffCooperates with the team in accomplishing department goals and objectivesConducts dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentistsEducation/ExperienceHigh school/GED requiredValid California Registered Dental Hygienist License requiredNational Provider Identifier (NPI) number required or ability to obtain prior to hireCurrent Basic Life Support (BLS) certification though an American Heart Association (AHA)- Approved source is required upon hire and must be maintained as a condition of employment. AHA- approved courses include an in-person, hands-on skills check with a certified instructor using a mannequin to demonstrate CPR and emergency response techniques. Online-only BLS courses without a live skills check do not meet this requirement.One-year dental hygienist experience in a dental office requiredValid certification to administer local anesthesia is preferredExperience working in a FQHC setting preferredBilingual (English/Spanish) preferredAdditional Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including superior composition, typing and proofreading skillsAbility to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule formKnowledgeable about and experience with performing a full range of established dental hygienist protocols/proceduresKnowledgeable about and experience with dental practices and proceduresKnowledge about and experience with using dental devices and equipmentAbility to provide direct patient services and successfully manage difficult patient situationsKnowledge about and experience with dental practices and procedures, including clinic infection control procedures, cleaning/sterilizing instruments, tray setup and materialsKnowledge about and experience with establishing oral hygiene concepts and periodontal therapiesAbility to independently assess the nature and extent of dental disease, associated conditions and pathology in dental patientsAbility to analyze medical records and prescribed protocols to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plansKnowledge about and experience with dental surgeries and associated procedures, terminology, and techniquesAbility to set-up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelinesKnowledge of patient screening, charting and medical history procedures and documentation. Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer and discharge procedures and documentation.Knowledge about and experience with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneouslyExcellent planning and organizational abilityAbility to work as part of a team as well as independentlyAbility to work with highly confidential information in a professional and ethical mannerPhysical RequirementsAbility to lift/carry 50 lbs/weightAbility to stand for long periods of timeCompliance (Safety & HIPAA)Follows all safety procedures as outlined in Neighborhood Healthcare's Illness and Injury Prevention Plan (IIPP) and report any injuries and/or unsafe conditions immediatelyMaintains current knowledge of policies and procedures as they relate to safe work practicesFollows all safety procedures and report unsafe conditionsUses appropriate body mechanics to ensure an injury free environmentFamiliarity with location of nearest fire extinguisher and emergency exitsFollows all infection control procedures including blood-borne pathogen protocolsMaintains privacy of all patients, employee and volunteer information and access such information only on a need-to-know basis for business purposesComplies with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligationsReports all behavior and/or activity that are unethical, fraudulent, or unlawfulNeighborhood Healthcare offers a generous benefit plan that includes: Partially company paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans. Two plus weeks of vacation, Nine Holidays