Dental Assistant - NeighborHealth Corporation

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Description:

The Dental Assistant is responsible for various non-skilled dental tasks for patients of all ages, for the maintenance and control of non-pharmaceutical supplies and equipment and for assigned clerical activities. The Dental Assistant is supervised by a Dentist.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Participates in direct patient care activities as directed by a Dentist.  These include:
• All duties and responsibilities of dental assistants as outlined by the Board of Registration in Dentistry regulations manual according to level of training.
• Prepares for sessions and ensures all charts, equipment and x-rays are available for the provider and the patient.
• Facilitates efficient patient flow and workflow as directed
• Maintains work area in an orderly manner.
• Assists with forms, letters and other clinical paperwork as directed.
• Communicates effectively with patients of all ages
• Interacts with patients or other staff in a professional and respectful manner, which reflects the needs and concerns of the individual.  Consistently provides excellent customer service and makes patients feel welcome. Maintains a positive attitude. Uses communication devices appropriately.
• Promotes a sense of “teamwork” through demonstration of self-direction and self-motivation. Solves problems independently or knows when to seek consultation.
• Participates in required departmental activities.
• Reports safety and equipment problems, malfunctions, or missing equipment directly to clinical supervisor or designee
• Assist with clerical activities as directed by clinical supervisor or designee or other
• Answers phones in a courteous and professional manner, using the four-part greeting.  Screens and redirects call appropriately. 
• Identifies and verifies patient and demographic information.
• Uses computer to schedule appointments; pull up and print information. Reviews schedules in advance to correct any errors.
• Understands organizational structure of Specialty Department and Dental Unit routine, and adheres to department policies and procedures (i.e., dress code, attendance, cell phone use, food at desk, etc.)
• Follow established departmental policies and procedures for environmental safety, emergency response and infection control.
• Disinfects, Cleans, packages, and sterilizes contaminated equipment in accordance with infection control policies and procedures as outlined by NeighborHealth. Properly documents all infection control and sterilization activities as required
• Set up and break down all exam rooms as outlined in NeighborHealth policies 
• Transports sterilized instruments from the clean room and distributes them evenly among the operatories. Rotates instruments when stocking
• Orders and puts away supplies to maintain par levels to meet department needs.
• Stocks operatories in time for am/pm sessions.
• Proficient in Wisdom in all DA required tasks: i.e.: Tooth charting, documentation etc.
• Scans patient’s medical history and any other forms into Wisdom through the patient’s chart.
• Adds the appointment request in Wisdom so that the dental registration can make an appointment.
• Creates Dental lab orders in Wisdom through the patent’s chart. Closes dental lab orders in Wisdom through the patient’s chart when lab cases come back. Responsible for all lab case workflow
• Prints Dental Lab order report in Wisdom to know which patient’s crown or denture case is due soon. Calls the lab to make sure cases will be back by their due date if not informs dental registration so they can reschedule the patient’s appointment. Problem solves with Clinical supervisor as to avoid cancelling and rescheduling patients and notifies provider
• Responsible for making a copy of the patient’s dental lab slip and scanning into patient’s chart
• Responsible for packing all dental lab cases appropriately in a timely manner
• In charge of taking vitals and documenting on new and recall patients and on patients with extensive medical history.
• Proficient and certified in taking digital x-rays on adults and children. 
• Complying with all Daily opening and closing responsibilities as outlined. Maintains Storage, Dirty room, clean room, Lab areas as instructed.
• Maintains daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of autoclaves, ultrasonic and Hydrim and logs appropriately
• Responsible for weekly and monthly maintenance as outlined: flushing the lines and changing the traps weekly and documenting appropriately Responsible for shocking the lines weekly and flushing the solution out the next day with water. Documentation in logbook required.
• On a weekly basis check all instrument pouches for holes, stains, and outdated labels (sterility integrity). Check all dental materials for expired items.
• Refers patients to member services, patient advocate, and other departments. Provides information and directions to patients.
• Performs other duties as authorized (i.e. interpretation of demographic information etc.). Makes optimal use of standby time.  

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Graduate from a Certified Dental Assistant program or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience in a dental or medical dept desired.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with internal and external customers.