Dental Assistant - 991797 (Tampa Bay, FL)

Nova Southeastern University; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver

Medical and dental plans

Job summary

Nova Southwestern University invites a Dental Assistant to join our clinical team in the NSU dental programs. You will support students, residents, and faculty in designated clinics, preparing operatories and instruments for procedures.

You will take digital x-rays, assist with patient histories, and maintain infection control standards. Training in sedation, EHR entry, and instrument sterilization may be required as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of infection control and OSHA protocols.
• Customer service principles and patient-facing skills.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and dental procedures.
• Inventory management practices.
• Four-handed dentistry.
• Proficient x-ray techniques.
• HIPAA familiarity.
• MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access).

Responsibilities

• Provides chairside assistance for students, residents, and faculty in designated clinics.
• Plans the set‑up of operatories, instruments, and materials for scheduled procedures.
• Takes and processes digital x-rays and dental impressions.
• Assists with obtaining patients’ dental and health histories.
• Maintains operatories per infection control protocols (OSHA).
• Enters data into electronic health records.
• Monitors inventory of dental supplies.
• May monitor sedation or anesthesia procedures.
• May provide postoperative instructions from the dentist.
• May assist with sterilization and dispensing of instruments.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

Infection control

OSHA compliance

Customer service

Four-handed dentistry

X-ray techniques

HIPAA knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

AA Dental Assisting Program

Tools

Axium dental software

Job description

We are excited that you are considering joining Nova Southwestern University!

Nova Southwestern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southwestern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.

We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southwestern University.

Primary Purpose:

Provides hands‑on support to students, residents, and faculty in the assigned clinic (s); prepares patients for dental treatments and sets up operatories. May sterilize instruments. DISCLAIMER: Salary (compensation) will vary depending on the number of years of experience as a dental assistant.

Job Category:

Non-Exempt

Pay Basis:

Hourly

Subject to Grant Funding?

No

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides chairside assistance for students, residents, and faculty in designated clinics.
• Plans the set‑up of the operatories, instruments, and materials according to scheduled procedures.
• Takes and processes digital x-rays and dental impressions.
• Assists with obtaining documents of patients’ dental history as well as overall health and medication history.
• Maintains operatories according to proper infection control protocols to ensure adherence to OSHA and infection control regulations.
• Enters data/patient information into electronic health record systems.
• Monitors inventory of dental supplies.
• May monitor oral sedation or general anesthesia procedures.
• May provide postoperative instructions as directed by the dentist.
• May assist with sterilization and dispensing of instruments.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge:

• 1. General knowledge and understanding of infection control and OSHA protocols.
• 2. Customer and Personal Service – General knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
• 3. Knowledge of sterile techniques and special procedures applicable to work performed.
• 4. Knowledge of inventory management practices.
• 5. Knowledge of four‑handed dentistry.
• 6. Proficient knowledge of x‑ray techniques.
• 7. General knowledge and understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• 8. Proficient knowledge of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access).

Skills:

• 1. Service Orientation – Proficient skills in actively looking for ways to help people.
• 2. Complex Problem Solving - Proficient skills in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• 3. Judgment and Decision Making – Proficient skills in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the appropriate one.
• 4. Time Management – Proficient skills in managing one's own time and the time of others.
• 5. Active Listening – Proficient skills in 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.
• 6. Speaking – Proficient skills in talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities:

• 1. Manual Dexterity - The ability to use your hands in a skillful, coordinated way to grasp and manipulate objects and demonstrate small, precise movements.
• 2. Oral Comprehension & Expression - The ability to listen to, understand, and communicate information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences so others will understand.
• 3. Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• 4. Detail Oriented - The ability to pay attention to details, understand underlying cause/effect relationships, and account for those details and relationships.
• 5. Confidentiality - The ability to maintain confidential information.
• 6. Ability to multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment.
• 7. Ability and willingness to provide coverage in other areas/facilities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• 1. May be exposed to sharp instruments, disposable gloves, and personal protective equipment, among others.
• 2. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• 3. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• 4. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• 5. Travel - Must be able to travel on a daily and/or overnight basis.
• 6. May be required to work nights or weekends.
• 7. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• 8. May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, to include but not limited to syringes, latex gloves, pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.

Required Education:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Required Experience:

HSD and one (1) to two (2) years of experience working as a Dental Assistant in a dental office.

-OR-

Have completed an AA Dental Assisting Program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1. Expanded Duties Certificate.
• 2. Radiology Certificate or ability to obtain within 90 days from hire.
• 3. Experience using EHR (electronic health record) system and dental terminology, preferably Axium dental software.

Is this a safety sensitive position?

No

Background Screening Required?

Yes

Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer:

Nova Southwestern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.