Dental Assistant Trainee

ABOUT ANCHORAGE NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER:

At ANHC, we believe everyone deserves high-quality, respectful, and compassionate care, regardless of their ability to pay. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we serve a diverse patient population with a commitment to health equity and community well-being.

Our culture is grounded in our core values: Respect, Compassion, Personal Integrity, Excellence, and Collaborative Spirit. These values guide how we care for our patients and how we treat one another. We foster a supportive, team-orientated environment where every voice is heard, diversity is celebrated, and staff are empowered to grow and make meaningful contributions. At ANHC, you'll be part of a mission-driven team that shows up every day with purpose, heart, and a deep commitment to the community we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY & PROGRAM FEATURES:

Works under the direction of a qualified professional dentist or dental hygienist. Participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental care, within the objectives, standards and policies of the department and within the parameters of his/her preparation. Performs a wide variety of challenging and technical duties and cooperates with the members of the dental staff and other center departments.

The dental assistant trainee role is part of a hybrid program combining self-paced online learning with hands-on clinical training in the dental clinic, with emphasis placed on safety, with full training and protocols provided for all clinical procedures.

In this program you will obtain real world experience in a modern clinic under the supervision of experienced dental professionals. The trainee curriculum includes infection control, chairside assisting, patient communication, and customer service.

During the training program, you will:

• Earn pay and receive full benefits while completing your training.
• Participate in classroom instruction along with hands-on chairside assisting as part of an integrated dental care team.
• Build knowledge across all areas of general dentistry while developing strong teamwork, customer service, communication, and computer skills.
• Work in our dental clinic where an integrated care team will mentor and support your ongoing training and professional development.

Once all training objectives and clinical competencies are successfully completed, you will transition into a dental assistant one position and receive a pay increase.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Works under the direction of a qualified professional dentist or dental hygienist. Participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental care, within the objectives, standards and policies of the department and within the parameters of his/her preparation. Performs a wide variety of challenging and technical duties and cooperates with the members of the dental staff and other center departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares patients for dental encounter including auditing and updating patients' charts per ANHC health maintenance standards and per dental policies. Takes vital signs as indicated, records chief complaint and prepares appropriate instruments for examination/procedure.
• Captures dental diagnostic x-rays, performs point of care testing when necessary (i.e. Blood sugar, HbA1c).
• Performs simple dental procedures such as Fluoride application, sealant placement, rubber dam placement, fabricates temporary crowns, packs cord, suture removal, obtains impressions, pours and trims models when needed, etc.
• Maintains sterile work field and assists dentist in all dental procedures. Participates in four handed dental instrument delivery during treatment.
• Provides basic patient educations regarding dental hygiene, posts operative care, incision sutures, prescription usage, eating habits, and dental procedures.
• Follows up on referrals, facilitates patient scheduling, and with patients after surgical procedures.
• Records information concisely, accurately, and completely. Obtains and files dental record.
• Understands and adheres to job related Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Center for Disease Control and Prevention requirements. Sterilizes instruments demonstrating desired competencies.
• Assists with equipment maintenance. Flushes vacuum system with appropriate solutions. Performs water safety testing quarterly.
• Understands and maintains patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Identifies and utilizes appropriate channels of communication.

SUPPORTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support duties such as assisting other members of the dental staff, stocking and cleaning exam rooms, cleaning, wrapping and autoclaving instruments, filing records, assist or maintain inventory, maintains service record, maintains sterilization log, monitors safety issues such as fire extinguishers, spill kits, exit lights, eyewash station, etc.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: ANHC's Mission, Vision and Values: Actively supports ANHC's mission, vision and values. Includes using individual skills to add value to the mission: To be a trusted partner in every person's wellness by providing integrated, compassionate, and high-quality health care, regardless of ability to pay; and vision: Accessible care for a healthy Anchorage. Aligns actions around organizational values of RESPECT, COMPASSION, PERSONAL INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE and COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT and gives priority to organizational mission, vision and values when making decisions. Accountability: Takes ownership for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad; has an ability to identify strengths and developmental opportunities and leverages insight to make adjustments to improve their effectiveness; courage to have difficult conversations. Adapting to Change: Accepts and adapts to change in a professionally appropriate and thoughtful manner. Is willing to offer a different perspective or approach and yet knows when and how to stand down graciously and accept a well-thought-out decision. Embraces change. Confidentiality: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding ANHC records and information relating to ANHC, its customers and employees. Appropriately uses internal confidential information for business purposes only. Responsible for knowledge and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Communicating Effectively: Shares information. Listens and involves others. Clearly conveys ideas in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message. Decision Making/Judgment: Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively; involves others as needed; uses sound judgment in making decisions and understanding the impact to themselves, customers, their team, and the organization; conducts the appropriate analysis to identify the symptoms and root cause of issues; makes timely decisions. Delivering High Quality Work: Makes sure responsibilities central to the role meet all requirements and expectations. Finishes tasks promptly and critically reviews work to ensure quality and accuracy. Considers impact of work to others and takes steps to mitigate. Seeks additional work after finishing tasks. Demonstrating Initiative: Takes action on his/her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked. Results Orientation: Is focused on outcomes and accomplishments; follows through on commitments; can be counted upon to successfully execute on goals; motivated by achievement and a need for closure; has an attention to detail and is both efficient and effective in achieving a high level of measurable outcomes; persists in achieving goals despite obstacles. Service Excellence: Has a desire to consistently provide a genuinely exceptional experience to every person, every time. Provides timely and professional service to both internal and external customers; is responsive to customer needs and requests; is always courteous to the customer and considers the needs of the customer when making decisions. Teamwork: Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team and leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere. QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Work Experience: Entry level to 9-11 months of experience as a dental assistant. Experience in a customer facing role, preferred. Working knowledge of computer required. Education, Certification and Licensure: Graduation from high school or equivalent, preferred. Must have current or be able to obtain CPR / BLS certificate upon hire. Additional Skills & Knowledge: Bilingual preferred. PHYSICAL, SENSORY, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, see, talk and listen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed in a healthcare clinic and office setting. ANHC is a tobacco-free campus. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Persons alleging unequal treatment should contact the Chief Human Resources Officer. The undersigned have read this job description and agree that it defines the position as it currently exists. The undersigned also understands that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job. It is not to be considered as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional duties at the discretion of the supervisor.