Dental Assistant III - QDA or EFDA

Job Description

Job Description

Dental Assistant III- QDA or EFDA

Job Summary : The Dental Assistant III (DA III) is also a licensed Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA) or Expanded-Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) in the state of Maryland.  The DA III prepares, sterilizes, organizes and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established safety guidelines and standards.  Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuators, radiographic equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.  DA III can provide chair side assistance to dentists and dental hygienists in the provision of clinical dental care, including operative, preventative, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic and/or oral surgery procedures. Takes diagnostic quality l radiographic images in accordance with dentists’ orders, assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.  Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies, equipment, and instruments.   Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with the established protocol and procedures. This is a nonexempt, full-time position in pay grade 3 with the pay range of $19.14 - $24.88. The Dental Assistant III reports directly to the Dental Clinical Quality Director.

Required Skills/Abilities:                               

• Must demonstrate the ability to take digital radiographs.
• Must be proficient in basic computer skills.
• Career-focused
• Passion/interest in pursuing a career in dentistry.
• CPR certification.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of an accredited dental assistant training program with training in infection control. 
• Radiation Technologist license issued by the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners (licensure must remain current and renewed on-time).
• Expanded Functions (EFDA in the State of Maryland) or Qualified Functions (QDA in the state of Maryland) qualification is required. (Qualification must remain current).
• Completes EHR competency upon hire.
• Minimum of six months experience preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Clinical health centers environment 
• Frequent travel 
• Frequent exposure to workplace conditions includes bending, climbing stairs, walking, kneeling, and reaching. 
• Includes fine and gross motor skills, lifting less than 20 pounds, and vision.
• Exposure to workplace conditions includes air borne pathogens, blood borne pathogens and cleaning agents.

Standards of Behavior: 

• Commitment To Service 
• Respect 
• Quality  
• Teamwork 
• Patient Focus 
• Integrity  
• Accountability 
• Caring & Compassion  
• Professionalism  
• Listening & Responding 
• Safety  
• AIDET 

Job Related Competencies:

• Empathetic Outlook- The ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others; the ability to place oneself “in the shoes” of another and to view a situation from their perspective. 
• Attention to Detail - The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently.
• Problem Solving- Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Communicates Effectively- Developing and delivering multi-mode communication that conveys a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Values And Ethics - Serving with integrity and respect in personal and organizational practices. Ensuring decisions and transactions are transparent and fair.
• Time Management- The ability to effectively manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Commitment to Community: 

Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) is committed to creating a safe and open healthcare environment that improves health outcomes and values and respects the unique experiences and perspectives of both patients and staff by: 

• Prioritizing access for all individuals;
• Offering ongoing training for staff to promote health awareness, preventive measures and early detection for the varied patient population on the Eastern Shore;
• Actively engaging with patients, families and staff;
• Fostering a workplace culture in which everyone is treated with dignity.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Maintains a safe and hygienic patient environment. 
  • Always completes necessary equipment monitoring per established clinical protocol, follows equipment maintenance schedules and completes logs.
  • Maintains patient operatories, including daily disinfection, setup and stocking of dental supplies.
  • Cleans and maintains dental laboratory area daily, and the equipment as necessary (including maintenance of vacuum/compressor, cleaning evacuation lines, etc. per clinical protocol).
  • Monitors and maintains autoclave equipment and dental instruments as necessary to ensure sterile condition and techniques.
  • Prepares laboratory cases to include, contacting the laboratory, preparing for shipment, packaging, and monitoring due date back to the office.
  • Maintains proper inventory of supplies by communicating low stock to designated person or ordering if required.
  • Follows established guidelines for taking digital x-rays. 
  • Quality Control Data- monitors oxygen and nitrous oxide tanks, checks fire extinguishers, checks medications for expiration 
  • Completes Autoclave competency and N2O Quality Assurance Competency upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Performs other duties as required.
  • Takes initiative to solve problems and recommends improvements to the office manager.
  • Traveling to other CCHS sites to cover shortages within the department.
  • Consistently displays professionalism during interaction with CCHS customers, staff and clinicians. Practices AIDET.
  • A dental assistant’s duties may include answering telephones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and facilitating referrals.
  • Makes recommendations for cost containment and/or quality improvement.
  • Takes initiative and prioritizes effectively.
  • Works with other staff to achieve a desirable working environment.
  • Takes initiative and anticipate needs of other dental assistants. 
• Assists dentist or dental hygienists. 
  • Always prepares dental materials correctly, as needed, and in an amount sufficient to meet the need of the procedure.
  • Consistently anticipates the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared in advance of them as observed by the dentist.
  • Always ensures that chart information is accurate and complete and follows up with the dentist or dental hygienist.
  • Prior to appointment, reviews daily schedule and verifies treatment plan 
  • Assists students and residents with CCHS’s processes and procedures.
  • Assists front office dental staff with planning and scheduling of patient visits.
  • Takes radiographs as instructed by the dentist or hygienist. 
  • Assures that all instruments and materials are available prior to patient’s arrival. 
  • Triages dental emergencies
• Optional duties
  • If full and maintained credentialing is ensured, assisting in Operating Room for OR dentistry cases-assures in advance that all materials needed to complete the OR cases are available 
• Other duties under Expanded Functions Licensure 
  • Fabricate Athletic Mouthguards, bleaching treys, and Bite Registrations.
  • Application of Bonding agents, desensitizing agents, etchant, & fluoride varnish.
  • Cementation of temporary crowns & restorations.
  • Fabricate and remove temporary crowns and bridges. 
  • Able to light cure.
  • Place and remove retraction cord and rubber dam.
  • Drying root canals and paper points. 
  • Place and remove wedges, matrix bands
  • Removal of sutures
  • Take alginate impressions. 
  • See also attached chart. 
• Regular, reliable attendance is a requirement of this job.

Benefits: 

• Tuition and education assistance
• Certification scholarships available 
• Paid holidays (9) 
• Flexible paid time off and vacation scheduling
• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Referral program
• Employee wellness program
• Discretionary Bonuses

Choptank Community Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital or family status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.