Oral Surgery Dental Assistant

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

The Oral Surgery Dental Assistant is a skilled, compassionate, and detail-oriented professional who plays a critical role within a high-volume outpatient surgical center. This individual provides chairside surgical assistance, monitors patients undergoing various levels of sedation, and ensures strict adherence to infection control and safety protocols. Serving as a vital link between Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the clinical team, and patients, the Oral Surgery Dental Assistant helps deliver high-quality patient care throughout all phases of treatment, from pre-procedural preparation through post-procedure recovery. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to state law.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Chairside Support: Assist surgeons during outpatient procedures including complex extractions, dental implant placements, bone grafting, and biopsies.
• Surgical Field Management: Maintain a clear surgical field through efficient retraction, tissue manipulation, and high-volume suctioning.
• Instrument Passing: Anticipate the surgeon's needs and pass specialized surgical instruments seamlessly.
• Sedation Monitoring: Assist in the administration of nitrous oxide and tracking patient vital signs
• Diagnostic Imaging: Perform and process high-quality digital radiographs, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, Intra Oral Scans, Clinical Photos.
• Rooming Clinic Patients: Review medical histories, verify allergies, document baseline vital signs, scribe for surgeons during physical exam.
• Pre-operative Prep: Review medical histories, verify allergies, check consent forms, and document baseline vital signs.
• Anxiety Management: Comfort and reassure anxious patients prior to surgical procedures.
• Post-operative Instructions: Deliver comprehensive verbal and written aftercare instructions to patients and their escorts.
• Recovery Monitoring: Monitor patients after in-office procedures and assist to their vehicle as needed.
• Infection Control: Clean, disinfect, and set up surgical operatories following rigid DNV, OSHA, and CDC guidelines.
• Instrument Processing: Prepare all instruments and other items for sterilization
• Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance and safety checks on surgical drills, suction lines, and autoclaves.
• Documentation: Accurately chart surgical notes, anesthesia logs, and treatment plans in the practice management software.
• Track imaging timeline for surgical planning and ensure timely submission of imaging to our manufacturing partners.
• Ensure that appropriate equipment and hardware are available for upcoming procedures.
• Help to coordinate care with other departments and outside orthodontists/dentists
• Participate in regular meetings with Surgeons, Clinical Staff, and Clinical Leadership to ensure smooth service line operation
• Help to schedule patients for follow-up exams as appropriate

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to provide care, as appropriate, to the population served.

• Demonstrated, excellent human relations and effective communication skills.

• Possession of fine motor skills and high manual dexterity to handle small surgical tools safely.

• Mastery of sterile technique and strong knowledge of oral surgery instrumentation.

• Ability to keep current and initiate implementation of infection control protocol that prevents cross contamination and protects staff. The incumbent is encouraged to participate in training and education as new advances in dentistry arise.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span grown and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Required

• Completion of accredited dental assistant course.
• 1-2 years of chair side dental assisting experience.
• Successful completion of Radiology Safety and Health exam.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• DAANCE (Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination) certification
• Dental assisting certification (RDA/CDA)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. The position also requires prolonged periods of standing, sitting, and bending chairside during long procedures.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Tasting or Smelling, Walking