Dental Assistant - Grant - Pediatric Dental

Salary Range: $17.57 - $24.16 (Depending on Experience)

Job Purpose: The Dental Assistant supports dental care by assisting the providers in the delivery of dental care to patients by performing those procedures allowable according to Arizona State Dental Laws and other duties authorized by providers and supervisor.

Primary Goal: The primary goal of the El Rio Health Dental Assistant is to support El Rios Mission of providing comprehensive quality health care that is affordable and accessible to all who may have healthcare needs by successfully performing the primary essential functions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supports El Rio Dental Department & ancillary staff in the delivery of quality dental services to patients by performing those procedures identified as allowable according to Arizona State Dental Laws and other duties authorized by Dentists and Supervisors. • Assists Dentists and Hygienists in the delivery of patient care by passing instruments, placing rubber dams, proficient in the use of the air and water syringe, and the high-speed evacuation system, by taking preliminary impressions, pouring, and trimming the models. • Helps providers manage dental and medical emergencies using authorized emergency procedures, administering CPR using Universal Precautions and OSHA guidelines. • Provides historical reference by accurately and efficiently recording treatment, accurately coding charges for services, preparing treatment plans on dental charts, entering progress notes, and treatment plans in computer as indicated according to policy and procedures. • Prepares patients for dental treatment by taking and recording of blood pressure of patients, seating patients, and preparing them for the provider at the appointed time. • Maintains safe and clean working area by keeping operatories, dental lab sterilization area, and other work areas clean and organized at all times. • Properly cleaning, storing, and maintaining dental instruments, hand pieces, and sterilization units. • Contributes to team effort by becoming proficient in working with all providers and different team members to promote a smooth workflow in the event of a team members absence. • Allows flexibility in work assignments in all areas qualified for in the clinic, performing other duties as required to accomplish results as needed. • Assists with the flow of patients and takes a leadership role when assigned on a rotational basis.

Responsibilities:

• Provides instrumentation by preparing and maintaining all dental trays and instruments and by washing and sterilizing all instruments according to current clinic procedures and protocols. • Captures correct charges, confirms scheduled appointments, and takes the initiative to seat appointed patients, walk-ins, and emergencies, taking all measures possible to ensure a <5 no-show rate and by sending no-show cards to patients as needed. • Helps direct the positive use of provider and support staff time by directing and maintaining smooth patient flow, stocks operatories on a daily basis with adequate supplies, equipment, documents, and forms. • Surveys and removes outdated materials, maintains a clean, orderly, and pleasant work environment, and informs the supervisor when a given item is out or low. • Provides information to patients by relaying information, instructions, directions, and/or consent to patients, parents, or guardian regarding treatment at the direction of the dentists and hygienists. • Instructs patients and parents in oral hygiene and accurately communicates treatment plans and fees to patients. • Uses all clinic time constructively by using provider downtime to attend to other tasks such as cleaning instruments, organizing, assisting partner, or other team members.

Work Environment:

• Maintains a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in compliance with all Policies and Procedures, including but not limited to work areas, workstations, examination rooms, hand washing, infection prevention, and control, etc. • Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all compliance and reporting requirements respective to Joint Commission Certification, JCC standards.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (G.E.D.) • Certificate of completion from an accredited Dental Assistant Program and/or at least 3 years of chairside dental assisting experience.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:

• Must hold a current Arizona Board-approved certificate in radiology. • Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers. • Level I fingerprint clearance card, current, valid, and in good standing, or have applied for it within seven working days after beginning employment.

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• One years work experience as a Dental Assistant. • Bilingual English/Spanish with the ability to speak, read, and write in both languages. • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices to perform the essential functions of the job.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

• El Rio Health does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy and sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, including family medical history, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. • It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. • El Rio Health requires all AZ employees to have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance card. A.R.S. 36.425.03. • New hires and transfers must submit their fingerprint clearance card or fingerprint receipt before their hire date or transfer date. • All employees are strongly recommended to obtain and maintain vaccination status, i.e., as recommended by CDC and/or other public health agencies, to include an Influenza vaccination. • Subject to exemptions and accommodations when required by law. • Policy Adm-016 & Adm-045. • All employees are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to post-accident reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal and State regulations for alcohol and controlled substance testing. • Employees in positions holding responsibility for the safety and welfare of others will also be classified as safety sensitive. • El Rio Health is a non-profit 501c3 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and abides by all applicable federal Drug-Free Workplace standards. • El Rio Health is an equal opportunity employer.