Job Title: Dental Assistant (Dental Chairside Assistant)
Department: Dental Center
Reports To: Dental Assistant Supervisor
Status: Local 153 - Non-Exempt
Benefits
- Competitive Salary coupled with a great work/life balance.
- Spanish Fluency Addition: $2,000 annually added to your pay.
- Prime Location - Flatiron District in Manhattan.
- Full-time Schedule consisting of a 35-hour work week.
- Comprehensive Health Package including medical, dental & vision coverage with no employee contribution to the premium.
- Pension Benefit that includes monthly employer contributions.
- Retirement Benefit that includes 401K employer contributions.
- Professional Coverage/Reimbursement includes Continuing Education (CE) reimbursement, malpractice coverage, and uniform allowance.
- Paid Time Off including vacation, personal, CE & sick days.
- Federal Paid Holidays – up to 11 days off with pay.
Summary
The primary responsibilities include but are not limited to: chair-side assisting of Dentists and Dental Hygienists during treatment and assessments, preparation of the dental operatory and instruments used in the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, sterilizing, cleaning, maintaining dental equipment, and documenting (data entry) in the electronic dental record. Additional functions will include and not be limited to: administrative tasks related to patient care and standard operations. The Dental Assistant is aware of the philosophy, standards, objectives and policies of the Dental Center and the Funds.
Responsibilities
- Prepares the operatory, applies protective barriers and procures instruments, lab cases and other necessary materials for the patient visit.
- Escorts patient into the clinical area and operatory.
- Obtains radiographic images as prescribed by a dentist.
- Assists Dentists and Dental Hygienists with entering examination findings into the electronic dental record.
- Assists the Dentist using 4-handed dentistry technique.
- Escorts the patient to the appointment desk after clinical care.
- Pours and trims plaster models as directed by the dentist.
- Prepares laboratory cases for shipment, monitors progress of lab cases to ensure the case is available for the next appointment.
- Collects and transports soiled instruments and cassettes to the Sterilization Room.
- Returns materials and procedural tubs to the Supply Room.
- Disinfects operatory equipment and surfaces touched by the operator, assistant or patient following each patient visit.
- Monitors and stocks operatory materials and supplies to ensure clinical operations can continue without interruption during patient visits.
- Performs daily, weekly and monthly maintenance on delivery unit and evacuation equipment using the Operatory Maintenance Check List in the assigned operatories.
- Separates instruments, infectious waste, dental amalgam; rinses instruments cassettes and selected rotary instruments in the instrument washer and/or ultrasonic cleaner, wraps/bags instruments and cassettes, sterilizes the same in steam autoclave.
- Maintains sterilization equipment according to departmental SOPs.
- Monitors efficacy of autoclaves using biological monitor system, maintains a log of test results.
- Participates in any/all of the Dental Center improvements geared towards operational excellence.
- All other duties assigned by Dental Assistant Supervisor and/or Dental Center Management Team.
Qualifications
- Certificate of completion from an accredited Dental Assistant School.
- Detail oriented, ability to prioritize workload.
- Good communication, interpersonal skills, team player.
- Outstanding work ethic and employment record (including attendance and punctuality).
- Computer skills, type 40 wpm.
- Language skills: Speak, read, write, and understand English.
- Reasoning ability: High.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
Under one-third of the time: Standing, walking, climbing, or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
Half to two-thirds of time: Sitting, reaching with hands and arms.
Over two-thirds of time: Talking or hearing.
100% of the time: Using hands.
Work Environment
Work near moving or mechanical parts, moderate noise.