Responsibilities and Essential Duties:
- Prepare patient, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and assist Dentist during dental procedures.
- Carry out Dentist's orders accurately, directly, and indirectly.
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the dental care administered relative to the patient/ significant other identified problem/needs.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by the Dentist.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Assist Dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Perform delegated independent dental assisting functions using established procedures, policies, guidelines, and standards.
- Document pertinent observation and intervention on appropriate record.
- Maintain and coordinate communication among patient/significant other, staff, and Dentist as evidenced within medical record, patient, and health care team feedback.
- Effectively communicate patients changing needs and plan of care among staff members.
- Report patient needs/problems and observations regarding patient's condition to the charge nurse/physician.
Other Duties:
- Perform selected tasks related to patient care and the patient's environment in a safe manner.
- Contribute to the development of the patient/significant other plans of care based on the identified patient problems/needs.
- Assist in assuring that effective communication exists with patient/significant other as reflected in the plan of care.
- Work collaboratively with other members of the care team in coordination of the patient's care as evidenced by other department feedback.
- Use available written materials specific to patient condition or disease.
- Utilize appropriate teaching methods such as one-on-one and group instruction, demonstration, or discussion.
- Document health teaching, including patient/significant other response to and their understanding of health teaching.
- Participate in staff development programs and staff meetings.
- Attend scheduled staff meetings and is responsible for information discussed.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Patient Satisfaction:
- Assist patients, family members, or other clients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy; and communicate with them courteously and respectfully.
- Identify yourself in a pleasant and positive manner.
Teamwork:
- Assist in the orientation/training of new Team Members.
- Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow Team Members.
- Assist other Team Members in the performance of their assignments, as needed.
- Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.
- Consider the impact of your actions on Team Members throughout the Organization.
- Recognize the need for variations in staffing and volunteer to fill open shifts when possible.
- Take direction and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless patient care.
- Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties wherever volume deems it necessary within the System.
Problem Solving:
- Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
- Investigate and follow through on unusual orders or requests for service or information.
- Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur.
- Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet patient expectations.
- Take the initiative to do or redo inadequate or incomplete work, even if it is not yours.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Productivity/ Efficiency:
- Consistently demonstrate the ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.
- Minimize non-productive time and fill slow periods with activities that will enable you to prepare to meet the future needs of the System (education, organizing, housekeeping, assisting others).
- Organize job functions and work areas to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.
- Consistently demonstrate the ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision.
Adherence to Departmental Policies:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and the ability to reference them from appropriate books and manuals.
- Comply with the System's infection control policies and procedures, including the Exposure Control Plan, which reflects OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.
Great Benefits
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Extended Sick Pay (ESP)
Medical Health Insurance and Prescription Coverage
Basic Life Insurance for Employee and Family
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
401(k) Voluntary Contribution Plan
Health Reimbursement Account
Employee Elected Voluntary Coverage for Employee and Family
Life Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Spending Account
Discounted undergraduate & graduate rates at West Virginia Wesleyan College for employee and family
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
- Frequent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting, bending, and supporting patients.
- Incumbents will be exposed to viruses, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in the working environment.
- Incumbents will be required to work at any facility and be responsible for their own transportation.
- Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational needs.
Qualifications/Requirements/Skills:
- Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Coordination- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Social Perceptiveness- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Equipment Maintenance- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Oral Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Near Vision- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Speech Clarity- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Education/Training/Experiences:
- Post-Secondary certificate in Dental Assisting preferred.
- One year of experience working as a Dental Assistant is preferred.