Dental Assistant I

Northshore Health Centers; Portage (IN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

NorthShore Health Centers in Portage, IN is seeking a Dental Assistant I to support dentists and hygienists in direct provision of primary care dental services. The assistant performs patient intakes, sterilizes instruments, prepares operatories, and helps maintain inventory of instruments and supplies.

The role includes taking patient records, arranging equipment, and assisting during procedures while ensuring patient comfort and safety. Travel to NorthShore locations will be frequent.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, Transcripts, or Equivalent.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified within 2 weeks of hire.
• Preferred: Formal training as a dental assistant.
• Two years of experience in a healthcare setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Answer patient inquiries and prepare patients for exams or procedures.
• Seat patients and assist them from the office to procedure room.
• Record treatments and services in patient records electronic systems.
• Arrange equipment, pre-tray setups, and supplies.
• Assist during dental procedures by transferring instruments and retracting.
• Perform simple laboratory procedures like pouring impressions and sterilizing instruments.
• Order, stock, and inventory supplies and ensure clean, organized work areas.
• Communicate with patients in a positive manner to support care goals.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Time management

Oral communication

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

BLS Certification

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Portage, IN 46368

Summary/Objective

The Dental Assistant I is responsible for assisting the dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of NorthShore Health Centers. The assistant performs patient intakes and is responsible for sterilization of instruments, cleaning and preparing operatories. In addition, the Dental Assistant I assist in maintaining inventory control of dental instruments and supplies.

Essential Functions

• Answer patient’s inquiries (on phone or in person), receives and seats patients, and prepares patient for exam/procedure.
• Dismisses patients, assisting them from office and procedure room, enters services rendered on patients’ records.
• Recording treatment information in electronic patient records.
• Arranges equipment, pre-tray setups, dental materials and supplies.
• Provide assistance during dental procedures by transferring instruments, manipulating dental materials, retracting and evacuating oral cavity.
• Perform simple laboratory procedures (such as pouring impressions, sterilizing instruments, fabricating acrylic impression trays, fabricating temporary crowns/bridges).
• Assist lead in the ordering, stocking, taking inventory, distribution of supplies, ensures supplies and equipment are clean and put away after use.
• Communicate directly with patients; communicates in an appropriate and positive manner to guide and re‑assure patients, as well as supports the patient care mission of the organization.

*These essential functions are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position and are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. The position will include other duties as assigned, and duties are subject to change at management's discretion.

Competencies

• Planning and strategic foresight
• Responsible Decision Making
• Integrity and accountability
• Innovation and creativity
• Adaptive and flexible
• Leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution
• Professionalism and work ethic
• Empathy

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. Involves frequent personal and telephone contact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare personnel. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive.

Travel

Travel within Northshore locations will be frequent for this position. Travel outside of Northshore locations will be rare for this position.

Required Role Qualifications

• High School Diploma, Transcripts, or Equivalent
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified within 2 weeks of hire

Preferred Role Qualifications

• Formal training as a dental assistant
• Two years of experience working within a healthcare setting

Required Skills

• Ability to analyze situations and solve problems at strategic and tactical levels
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations ordinances, and policies
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors
• Practiced at organization and planning
• Employ Critical thinking and problem solving
• Maintains composure and operates with emotional intelligence
• Ethical reasoning and decision-making
• Strong attention to detail
• Receptive and responsive to feedback
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Time management, prioritization, and sense of urgency
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Qualifications