Dental Assistant I-II-III-IV (On-call)

La Clínica de La Raza; Pittsburg (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a community-focused health center where you can make a difference in patients' lives as a Dental Assistant. In this role, you'll work closely with dentists, providing essential support in a fast-paced environment. Your responsibilities will include managing patient flow, assisting during procedures, and ensuring a positive patient experience. With a commitment to quality care, you'll be part of a team that values collaboration and communication, making healthcare accessible to all. If you're passionate about patient care and have the skills to thrive in a dynamic setting, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of dental assisting experience required.
• Completion of Dental Assistant Training Program preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient flow and assist with dental procedures.
• Perform general office duties and maintain equipment.

Skills

Bilingual proficiency

Effective written communication

Interpersonal skills

Clerical duties

Education

High School Diploma or GED

X-Ray License

Dental Assistant Training Program

Tools

Electronic Dental Records system

Modern computer applications

Job description

Dental Assistants: Building Healthier Communities

Who we are: La Clínica de La Raza is a community-based health center committed to providing culturally appropriate, high-quality, and accessible health care to the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area. We have spent over 40 years advocating for and creating a health home for the many that have been denied access to care. As health care activists, we are dedicated to making sure individuals who do not have health coverage get the same level of quality healthcare as those who have it. Over 90,000 individuals come to La Clínica because it is a welcoming place that addresses the whole person, coordinating and connecting them to a broad network of services to improve and maintain their health and well-being.

Be part of an excellent care team: We are looking for Dental Assistants who want to serve as a valuable member of our care team by working alongside dentists in fourhanded dentistry. In our dental practice, you will be relied on for your superb technical skills to improve the quality and efficiency of our clinic while providing a human touch to the overall patient experience. To be successful, you need to enjoy interacting with all kinds of different people, feel energized by a fast-paced clinic environment, and remain cool under pressure even when serving a person who is upset, disrespectful, or impatient. You should have a successful history of being responsible, reliable, and capable of solving problems while being friendly and helpful in looking for ways to support other care team members.

Major Areas of Responsibility include but are not limited to:

Patient Care

• Manage patient flow to maximize patient access and service by ensuring dental exam rooms are adequately stocked and ready for patients.
• Prepare patients for dental examination by taking and recording vital signs and medical/dental histories.
• Help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment.
• Effectively communicate requests from patients to dentist or dental care team members.
• Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures such as taking dental x-rays.
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain an adequate supply of functioning instruments and equipment.
• Prepare instruments, materials, and medication for use in dental procedures.
• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Provide patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures.
• Record treatment information in patient records using Electronic Dental Records system.

Commitment to Quality

• Demonstrate a commitment to excellent patient experience and quality outcomes.
• Communicate and work effectively with providers and other members of the dental care team to best serve patients.
• Engaged participation in huddles, staff meetings, team building activities, and assigned development opportunities.
• Adherence to La Clínica's ethical and professional standards, including policies and procedures.

General Office Duties

• Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments for patients, answering telephones, recording medical updates from the provider, or completing insurance forms.
• Register patients, collect and post payments, prepare treatment estimates for review with patient, run, balance and close end of day reports.
• Assist patients with insurance forms.
• Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic in the appropriate electronic system.
• Inventory stock, order, and verify receipt of dental, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge

• Basic dental assisting practices, terminology, and equipment used.
• Dental office procedures including scheduling, registration, treatment estimates, and payment collection.
• Working with modern computer applications and electronic health records.
• Techniques for cleaning and sterilization of dental equipment, exam rooms, and patient treatment areas.

Abilities

• Physical: Ability to work in fourhanded dentistry and other job functions that involve continuous movement.
• Communication: Bilingual proficiency and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work professionally and collaboratively as a team member.
• Administrative Skills: Ability to perform clerical duties with speed and accuracy with minimal supervision.
• Availability: Able to participate with other staff in Saturday and evening rotation.

Other Qualifications

• HS/GED, X-Ray License, and 1-2 years of experience as a Dental Assistant.
• Completion of Dental Assistant Training Program preferred for Non-Licensed DA.
• Certification for health clearances required of all healthcare professionals.

Specialized Additional Duties

• DA I: Under general supervision of a licensed dentist, perform extra-oral duties or procedures specified by the supervising licensed dentist.
• DA II: A registered dental assistant may perform all duties of DA I and additional duties as specified.
• DA III: All DA I & II duties and additional duties as specified.
• DA IV: All DA I, II, and III duties and additional duties as specified.