Registered Dental Hygienist

Registered Dental Hygienist

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is seeking a full-time Registered Dental Hygienist. The Registered Dental Hygienist will provide high quality dental care that is culturally appropriate and prevention focused and serve as a leader contributing to the smooth, efficient, operation of the department, the site and the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Clinical: Maintain own dental hygienist practice as defined by Peak Vista guidelines. Screening and evaluating patients in regard to caries risk, periodontal pathology, medical history. Providing clinical services, including selecting, exposing, and processing of digital radiographs, prophylaxes, supra and sub gingival scaling and curettage, root planning, procedures involving team periodontal surgical techniques, according to Peak Vista guidelines. Providing preventative clinical and educational services, including instruction of proper oral hygiene home care techniques, tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, need for professional care, and topical fluorides. Administration of local anesthetics and gross debridement in treatment of acute periodontal conditions. Performance of expanded duties where qualified, as delegated by dentist and governed by Colorado law.
• Co-located Hygiene Services in Medical Clinic: Primarily responsible for the initiation and maintenance of the dental prevention and dental education program in an integrated medical setting, working with both medical and dental team members for coordination. Accurately and appropriately assess caries risk, application of fluoride treatments, and dissemination of oral health education to patients, parents, and children in the medical setting in one-on-one visits or in group visits. Identification of and assistance in patient establishment of a dental home. Travel between medical and dental clinic sites may be required. Maximize community linkages while acting as advocate for patients. Exhibits positive leadership skills, actively striving to improve patient and staff experience of Peak Vista, as well as strong communication skills. Effective use of the electronic dental record (EDR), electronic medical record (EMR), registries, dental radiology, dental intraoral/extraoral imaging, and templates. Work in coordination with dentists, other dental team members, and medical team members to effectively manage patient care and develop clinical guidelines within scope of dental hygiene practice.

Site with Opening: Dental Health Center at International Circle Colorado Springs, CO

Hiring Organization: Peak Vista Community Health Centers

Practice Highlights: Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a non-profit healthcare organization whose mission is to provide exceptional healthcare to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. We provide primary care services (medical, dental and behavioral healthcare) through 21 outpatient health centers in El Paso, Teller, Lincoln, Adams and Kit Carson counties. Our organization has over 800 employees and serves over 74,300 patients in the Pikes Peak and East Central Plains region. We have post graduate training programs, both nationally accredited, for Family Medicine Residency, and primary care Nurse Practitioner Fellowships.

Community Highlights: Colorado Springs has 149 city and county parks, 17 golf courses, 5 of which are public, major ski resorts within two hours driving time, camping, hiking, fishing, technical climbing, white water rafting. Denver, the cultural center of Rocky Mountain region, is an easy 90 minute drive away.

Other: Education/Experience: Graduation from an approved School of Dental Hygiene. Possession of a current Colorado license as a registered dental hygienist. Certification to administer local anesthesia. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Sensitivity to low income and ethnic minority community a must. Working knowledge of all phases of the field of dental hygiene. Skill in the techniques of oral hygiene procedures and the use of equipment, instruments, and materials. Basic computer skills required. Knowledge and practice of preventative dentistry and ability to instruct patients and staff. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff. Ability to work in a team environment required. Excellent coaching skills. Bilingual in Spanish preferred. Compensation (Pay): $94,411 to $112,732/annually, based on experience. Perks/Benefits: Medical - Dental - Vision - Life - STD - LTD 403(b) Retirement with Company Match Paid Time Off Paid Continuous Medical Education Tuition Assistance Program Perks Rewards Employee Assistance Program Summary of Benefits: