Dental Assistant (76660)

Dental Assistant

At CrescentCare, we bring caregivers and the community together as partners in health and wellness for all. Our experience builds on more than 40 years of impact through our founding organization, NO/AIDS Task Force. In 2014, we became a Federally Qualified Health Center to offer an expanded range of health and wellness services for anyone and everyone who is seeking healthcare services in Greater New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana.

Our mission is strengthening our entire community through whole-person healthcare and education.

Position summary: A full time position, the CrescentCare Dental Assistant supports dental care delivery to our clients by preparing treatment rooms, patients, instruments, and materials.

Agency performance standards:

• Maintain high level of professionalism and ensure confidentiality.
• Treat clients, staff, volunteers, board members, etc., with dignity and respect.
• Offer assistance to co-workers as needed.
• Demonstrate initiative by actively participating in the resolution of problems.
• Ask for assistance when learning new information or job duties.
• Take all necessary measures to properly use and maintain supplies and equipment.
• Respect the rights of co-workers to a productive workplace.

Compliance & quality assurance standards:

• Requires cooperation with the Agencys Quality Assurance and Improvement Program. Includes actively participating in all required trainings, and in creating a culture of quality improvement. Cooperation with the quality program will be considered for performance reviews.
• Requires cooperation with the Agencys Compliance Practices. Includes immediately reporting issues, actively participating in required trainings, following HIPAA regulations, and assisting in creating a culture of compliance. Also includes compliance with written standards and all applicable federal and state laws. Cooperation with compliance will be considered for performance evaluations.
• Not currently listed as excluded or sanctioned by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), the General Services Administration (GSA), or excluded from participation in any federal program. Agrees to promptly notify supervisor in the event of any such debarment, exclusion, conviction, threat or indictment occurring during the term of employment.
• Failure to comply with the Agencys Compliance Practices, which include failure to report conduct or events that potentially violates any laws or the Agencys written compliance standards will be met by disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination.
• Must adhere to all practices specified in the Employee Handbook and Agency Operating Procedures.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist.
• Serves as dentist or dental hygienists chair-side assistant.
• Prepares operatory for patient treatment per the Ready To Work Protocol also contained in this manual.
• Exposes and develops dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law and Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturers directions and Dental Department policy and protocol.
• Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
• Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintains a list of all Dental Department patients, monitors patient flow, assists the Dental Director, Dentist(s) and Dental Hygienist(s) in assuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
• Pulls and files patient charts as required.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
• Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits.
• Ensures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, center policy as well as state and federal regulations(s).
• Performs all functions in full compliance with the centers and the Dental Department Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.
• Travels when necessary to meet operational needs.
• As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
• Responsible for personal compliance in full with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures including but not limited to the participation of a Dental Assistant in the provision of clinical dental care, as well as those relating to, but not limited to personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.

Position requirements:

• Necessary technical skills to use Agencys electronic health record, incident reporting system, email, and other information systems.
• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Completion of accredited course in dental assisting required Edda Certification
• Up to date X-ray Certifications
• Ability to attend to multiple tasks at the same time and to prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English are required.

Essential physical requirements:

• Typical Physical Demands: Prolonged sitting or standing may be required. Those physical movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination normally associated with dental assisting in general practice dentistry will be performed on a repetitive basis. The ability to distinguish letters and symbols as well as the ability to utilize telephones, computer terminals and copiers is required. Work under stressful conditions as well as irregular hours may be required. Frequent exposure to communicable disease, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.
• OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Classification: Category I

Total compensation package:

• Comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage options
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Employer-paid Dental
• Employer-paid life insurance & AD&D
• Employer-paid Wellness Program
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-sponsored vision insurance
• Employer-sponsored short-term disability insurance
• Vacation time (accrue 10 days in first 12 months)
• Sick time (accrue 8 days in first 12 months)
• Eleven (11) paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match beginning in employee's second year