Dental Assistant

Great-Lakes-Bay-Health-Centers; Bay City (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Great-Lakes-Bay-Health-Centers is seeking a full-time Dental Assistant to support dentists in chairside procedures, manage lab tasks, and maintain accurate clinical documentation. The role includes radiology duties, infection control, and patient education.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, Michigan radiology certification within 60 days, and BLS. Experience or completion of GLBHC program is preferred. Travel across GLBHC sites is required. A signing bonus is offered.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Licensure: State of Michigan Radiology Certification within 60 days of employment; BLS certification required.
• Two years of dental assisting experience or completion of GLBHC Apprenticeship Program or CODA‑accredited program.

Responsibilities

• Chairside dental assisting: assist dentist, pass instruments, prepare operatory and trays.
• Lab work: take alginate impressions, pour models, fabricate and track denture cases.
• Charting & clinical documentation: document communications, update problem lists, vitals, and EHR entries.
• Dental visit care closures: explain treatment plans and financials to patients and staff.
• Radiology: take diagnostic radiographs with proper protection.
• Infection control: follow infection control program, sterilize instruments, dispose sharps properly.
• Professionalism and communication: maintain welcoming environment and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Dental terminology

Chair-side techniques

Organized and detail-oriented

Effective communication

HIPAA confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certificate of Completion from dental assisting program

Job description

New Bayside
102 E Main St.
Bay City, MI 48708, USA

Description

*This position is eligible for a $500 signing bonus! *

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Chairside Dental Assisting: Assists the Dentist, or university-based Dental Extern, chairside in all clinical procedures, providing proper suctioning technique, passing instruments, and mixing materials as needed. Prepares for all treatment by ensuring the operatory is fully stocked with all supplies. Sets-up trays per procedure in compliance with individual provider's requests. Prepares patient for treatment.
• Lab Work: Follows lab procedure based upon protocols and procedures. Performs various assigned lab duties, including but not limited to, taking alginate impressions, pouring models, model trimming, and fabricating custom trays. Completes lab tracking slips. Prepares denture cases for the lab and promptly sends out and monitors all dental lab cases. Maintains all lab equipment by completing preventive maintenance/cleaning. Ensures lab cases have arrived prior to the patient visit for the following business day.
• Charting & Clinical Documentation: Responsible for the accuracy, clarity, timeliness, and proper completion of dental charting. Documents relevant communications with patients into a detailed clinical note. Prepares clinical patient forms, receives patient and provider signatures. Reviews Health History forms and transfers all information from the form to the patient’s electronic dental chart. Updates the problem list with all problems, medication, and allergy lists at every visit. Takes and records patients’ vitals (blood pressure, height, weight, etc.) at every visit. At the dentist’s request takes and records other relevant vitals. Provides detailed next visit information within the clinical note and on the encounter. Prepares lab slips. Ensures the proper completion of all EHR requirements within each visit. When completing denture steps, ensures the prior authorization is active before beginning the visit.
• Dental Visit Care Closures: Provides thorough dental education to patients. Communicates treatment plans, including plans for the next visit, with the patient and receptionist for financial planning and scheduling purposes. Documents insurance prior authorization needs in the clinical note and prior authorization log. Documents referral information in the clinical notes and completes all required referral documents.
• Radiology: Takes diagnostic quality digital radiographs assigned by the Staff Dentist, demonstrating proper radiographic techniques and radiation protection. Properly wears, stores, and returns assigned dosimetry badge.
• Infection Control: Follows Dental Infection Control Program and other regulatory policies and procedures. Coordinates efforts with coworkers to complete operatory set-up, equipment cleaning, sterilization of instruments, and disinfection of operatory. Properly disposes of sharps and all other disposable materials in the proper receptacle. Informs the Dental Manager of all broken equipment, handpieces, and instruments. Wears required PPE.
• Professionalism and Communication: Demonstrates effective professional communication skills that foster a culture of positivity and provides a welcoming environment to patients and coworkers. Considers approach and response when interacting with people. Makes all patients feel comfortable while in the dental operatory. Frequently communicates pertinent information to coworkers, providers, and managers. Participates in team meetings/huddles.

MARGINAL JOB DUTIES

• Coordinates work efforts with co-workers to maintain efficient workflows related to patient care and infection control processes.
• Thoroughly communicates with patients, coworkers, providers, and leadership staff.
• Restocks supplies in operatory and storage room. Pulls product cards when stock is running low and items need to be ordered
• Maintains an organized work environment.
• Assists with medical emergencies within the site based upon knowledge and skill level.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Licensure: State of Michigan Radiology Certification required within 60 days of employment. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification Required.
• Experience: Two (2) years of dental assisting experience or completion of the GLBHC Apprenticeship Program or graduation from a CODA-accredited and Michigan Board of Dentistry-approved dental assisting program.
• Skills: Knowledge of dental terminology, chair-side techniques, and dental insurances/prior authorizations. Organized and detailed, able to prioritize tasks, and multitask. Highly motivated with ability to work in fast-paced environment. Effective oral and written communication skills. Efficient typing and computer skills. Able to solve complex problems and make sound decisions. Demonstrates team building skills. Must have the ability to be coached by others while being objective through complex, difficult, or emotional situations. Able to manage sensitive and confidential information and situations. Flexible in day-to-day duties and responsibilities. Protects patients’ rights by maintaining confidentiality (HIPAA) of personal and financial information. Ability to communicate effectively with, and relate to, a diverse population in a professional and courteous manner including patients, administrators, and coworkers. Flexible and adaptable to change. Able to function individually and as a team member with direct supervision. Must be able to accept directions. Must have an ability to manage varying levels of stress in a healthy, professional manner. Takes initiative in daily responsibilities. Demonstrates continual poise, tact, and diplomacy.
• Physical Effort: Must be able to do a combination of sitting, standing, stooping, and walking for an entire workday. Must be able to bend. Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull up to twenty-five (25) lbs. Must be able to reach, grasp, and use fine manipulation.
• Hours of Work: Full time; Flexible and varied. Extended hours may be required. Consistent attendance is required for this position. Telecommuting is not an option for this position.
• Travel: Travel required to various GLBHC sites. Reimbursement consistent with GLBHC’s policy.

PREFERRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Education: Certificate of Completion from a dental assisting program preferred.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex,sexual orientation,gender identity, or national origin.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.