Dental Assistant I- ONC-I

002 Sea Mar Community Health Center; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life Insurance

Long Term Disability

EAP

PTO 24 days + 10 holidays

401(k) retirement

Job summary

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is seeking a Dental Assistant to support the dental team in delivering high-quality patient care. You will perform chairside assistance, educate patients, and help manage patient flow according to practice standards and state requirements.

The position requires a Dental Assisting program completion, WA state registration, and CPR/BLS certification within 90 days. You may be assigned to multiple clinic sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Must prevent exposure to communicable diseases through proper infection control.
• Must read/write English and communicate with patients and staff.
• Able to read and interpret common dental materials; perform basic math.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide four-handed chairside assistance using appropriate dental procedures.
• Escort patients to and from treatment rooms, greet and seat them professionally.
• Provide patient education before, during, and after procedures; communicate delays.
• Maintain charting in Dentrix and Allscripts; record vital signs as directed.

Skills

Infection control

Communication

English literacy

Bilingual preference

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Formal Dental Assistant program

Registered with WA Dept of Health

BLS CPR certification

Job description

Position Summary

To assist the dental provider in the delivery of dental services to Sea Mar Community Health Center patients demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients being served. The pre-hire competency test must be passed (at 80% correct) before a person can transfer or be hired. At the time of hire, an employee will be given the training plan and calendar with all important dates and the outline of what material is to be covered. At that time the expectation must be made clear that they will be required to pass a competency test after 60 days worked in order to pass probation. At 40 days worked, the employee will be given an evaluation of job functions and outlines any deficiencies that need to be improved. Any training necessary to clarify these expectations will be given by the dental supervisor or dental designee at that time. The Probationary Competency Evaluation/Test will be given just prior to reaching the 60th day worked. Only two hours of paid time should be allotted to complete the evaluation/test. It shall be scored as follows: Above 80%-Pass Probationary Eval to include review/training on wrong answers 60-80% -Extend Probation for 22 working days Probationary Eval to include written list of areas to resolve Below 60%-Terminate employee. An annual competency test will be given each year to all Dental Assisting staff that has been out of probation for more than 90 days. If this annual test is not passed with at least 80% correct, the Dental Assistant will receive 1-on-1 training in deficient areas, within 1 month of the annual test. Failure to pass the subsequent tests it will result in disciplinary action including suspension and up to termination of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Anticipate and provide to Dental Providers all necessary chair side assistance using four-handed dentistry technique with procedures in categories as required: Diagnostic, Preventative, Restorative, Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontic, Orthodontics and other services allowed by the Washington Dental Practice Act. Identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescents, and geriatric patients You must escort each patient to and from the treatment room. Greet, seat, and depart patients, being courteous and professional at all times, especially when talking to patients or discussing confidential information. Provide patient education and instructions to patients before, after, and during any dental procedure. You are responsible for communicating provider delays and delays in patient flow to the Lead Dental Assistant, the Dental provider, the patients, and the front desk staff. Participate in scheduling appointments arriving, and departing patients in Dentrix and registering patient in Allscripts PM. Have the ability to complete thorough, accurate charting in Dentrix using S.O.A.P. or P.A.R.T.S. format. Obtain accurate blood pressure readings and other vital signs as directed by Dental Provider. Maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and the sterilization areas. Perform the responsibilities outlined in the “Task & Duty List” (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager. Participate in the training of new employee and/or dental trainees. Assist in doing inventory and the ordering of dental supplies. Participate in the Quality Improvement Activities of the Dental Department and of Sea Mar Community Health Centers (assigned by a lead dental assistant or the immediate supervisor). The duties and responsibilities for this position may change with changes occurring in the clinic activities or requirements. The supervisor may assign temporary work in other departments or other dental sites.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This person must sign an oath of permanent confidentiality covering all patient related information. This person must receive a background check from the Washington State Patrol. The new employee shall sign and date the job description to affirm the validity of the information herein, and to signify compliance with the conditions of employment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform satisfactorily the requirements listed in the task and duty list above. Below are general qualifications and abilities that the position may require to perform the task and duty list successfully: Operate in a manner that will prevent employees/patients exposure to communicable diseases through proper infection control.

LANGUAGE/ MATHEMATIC SKILLS

Must be able to read and write in English. A Dental Assistant must have the ability to effectively communicate with patients and staff both verbally and in writing. Have the ability to read and interpret common written materials about dentistry. Must be able to communicate basic mathematical figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define and problem solve, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Education, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations and Medical Screening

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED). Dental Assistants must have completed a formal Dental Assistant program at a College, Technical Institute or equivalent. Employee with no formal training must have a minimum of 1 year work experience in a Dental Assistant position. Must be Registered with the Washington State Department of Health, and keep their registration updated annually. Failure to have a current Washington State Registration will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and up to Termination. This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment. Must have a TB test annually.

Additional Requirements

Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee may be required to share work space with other employees. Adequate lighting and equipment are available to the employee. Use of ergonomic office furniture will be used when available and appropriate. Some traveling may be required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands that must be met by a Dental Assistant are those required to successfully perform the essential functions of dental assisting in dentistry. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requirements for performing the duties of this job as a dental assistant: The position regularly requires the physical demands to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must be able to lift or move a child or object of an average weight (up to 50 lbs.). Vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distant, vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Hourly

Hourly - Hourly Plan, 22.34 USD Hourly

What We Offer

• Medical Dental Vision Prescription coverage Life Insurance Long Term Disability EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.

Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 clinics.