Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Position

Provides highly specialized dental assisting support to the providers of the WVU School of Dentistry.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful completion of a dental assisting or surgical assisting program OR one year of dental assisting or surgical assisting experience will substitute for completion of dental/surgical assisting education program

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Certificate in Dental Assisting.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Assists School of Dentistry providers during patient examination and treatment as instructed.
2. Greets patients and prepares for exam by ensuring patients are properly seated, draped, and aligned for examination.
3. Independently applies or assist in the application of rubber dam isolation.
4. Transfers dental instruments and supplies to provider during treatment.
5. Maintains a clean, dry oral operating field by using high velocity evacuation systems.
6. Prepares, mixes, measures, and dispenses various materials as instructed during dental procedures.
7. Places, exposes, and/or processes images.
8. Ensures all equipment is clean, sanitized, and disinfected at all times.
9. Obtains dental supplies and instruments from stock area.
10. Prepares and arranges dental instruments, materials, and medications for use during patient care.
11. Ensure that all instrumentation is sterilized by appropriate methods.
12. Returns instruments and equipment to appropriate areas.
13. Sets up and assists with a wide variety of highly specialized patient care procedures in high specialized patient care environments such as the operating room, in-patient setting, same day care setting, ED, etc.
14. After successful completion of a program(s) of education approved by the WV Board of Dental Examiners and documented clinical experiences by the supervising dentist, perform expanded functions as defined by the Board and instructed by the dentist.
15. Records treatment procedures or other information within the electronic record, obtaining prompt electronic provider approvals as necessary.
16. Participates in the training of students as associated with various aspects of the delivery of dental care.
17. Ensures compliance with all School of Dentistry, WVUH, and regulatory policies and procedures.
18. Demonstrates regard for the dignity, respect, and safety of patients.
19. Exhibits a caring and courteous attitude and represents the organization in a positive manner to all persons.
20. Provides administrative support and assistance as needed in order to meet the operational needs of the clinics.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of 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 the essential functions.

• Position requires prolonged sitting in uncomfortable positions
• Position requires dexterity, mobility, and accuracy in four-handed chairside dental assisting

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High volume, fast-paced, high specialized patient care environment
• Exposure to hazardous materials, radiation, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases

Skills & Abilities

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of applicable highly specialized patient care protocols

Demonstrated ability to multi-task in a fast-paced highly specialized patient care environment

Demonstrated ability to provide safe, high-quality patient care services

Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize job duties

Demonstrated ability for effective independent decision making

Demonstrated ability to manage high stress, complex patient care situation

Demonstrated ability to effectively adapt to changes in the workplace

Demonstrated ability to adhere to policies, protocols, and applicable regulations

Additional Job Description

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5

Shift: Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company: WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

Cost Center: 892 WVUH WVU Dental Corporation

Address: 1 Medical Center Drive Morgantown West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.