Registered Dental Hygienist - Colorado Springs

Peak Vista Community Health Centers; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 94,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is seeking a dedicated dental hygienist to provide exceptional care to underserved communities. This role involves maintaining a dental practice, educating patients on oral hygiene, and collaborating with medical teams to enhance patient health outcomes. The organization values cultural sensitivity and teamwork, offering a supportive environment for professional growth. Join a mission-driven team committed to making a difference in the lives of thousands, while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for continuous education. If you are passionate about dental health and community service, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

403(b) Retirement with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Paid Continuous Medical Education

Tuition Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Graduation from an approved School of Dental Hygiene is required.
• Must possess a current Colorado license as a registered dental hygienist.
• Certification to administer local anesthesia is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality dental care that is culturally appropriate and prevention-focused.
• Maintain own dental hygienist practice as defined by guidelines.
• Coordinate with medical and dental team members for patient care.

Skills

Oral Hygiene Procedures

Patient Communication

Team Collaboration

Sensitivity to Low-Income Communities

Bilingual in Spanish

Education

Graduation from an approved School of Dental Hygiene

Current Colorado license as a registered dental hygienist

Certification to administer local anesthesia

Tools

Electronic Dental Record (EDR)

Computer

Dental Equipment

Job description

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a non-profit healthcare organization whose mission is to provide exceptional healthcare to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. We provide primary care services (medical, dental and behavioral healthcare) through 22 outpatient health centers in El Paso, Teller, Lincoln, Adams and Kit Carson counties. Our organization has over 800 employees and serves over 81,500 patients in the Pikes Peak and East Central Plains region. We have post graduate training programs, both nationally accredited, for Family Medicine Residency, and primary care Nurse Practitioner Fellowships.

COMPENSATION (PAY): $94,411 to $112,732/annually, based on experience.

PURPOSE: This job exists to: Provide high quality dental care that is culturally appropriate and prevention focused. Serves as a leader contributing to the smooth, efficient, operation of the department, the site and the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Clinical:

• Maintain own dental hygienist practice as defined by Peak Vista guidelines.
• Screening and evaluating patients in regard to caries risk, periodontal pathology, medical history.
• Providing clinical services, including selecting, exposing, and processing of digital radiographs, prophylaxes, supra and sub gingival scaling and curettage, root planning, procedures involving team periodontal surgical techniques, according to Peak Vista guidelines.
• Providing preventative clinical and educational services, including instruction of proper oral hygiene home care techniques, tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, need for professional care, and topical fluorides.
• Administration of local anesthetics and gross debridement in treatment of acute periodontal conditions.
• Performance of expanded duties where qualified, as delegated by dentist and governed by Colorado law.

• Co-located Hygiene Services in Medical Clinic:

• Primarily responsible for the initiation and maintenance of the dental prevention and dental education program in an integrated medical setting, working with both medical and dental team members for coordination.
• Accurately and appropriately assess caries risk, application of fluoride treatments, and dissemination of oral health education to patients, parents, and children in the medical setting in one-on-one visits or in group visits. Identification of and assistance in patient establishment of a dental home.
• Travel between medical and dental clinic sites may be required.
• Maximize community linkages while acting as advocate for patients.

• Exhibits positive leadership skills, actively striving to improve patient and staff experience of Peak Vista, as well as strong communication skills.
• Effective use of the electronic dental record (EDR), electronic medical record (EMR), registries, dental radiology, dental intraoral/extraoral imaging, and templates.
• Work in coordination with dentists, other dental team members, and medical team members to effectively manage patient care and develop clinical guidelines within scope of dental hygiene practice.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

*Maintains a safe work environment by remaining informed of and compliant with the clinic’s safety policies, and in particular by application of safe practices in area of own responsibility.

* Compliance:
o Knowledgeable of and compliant with laws and regulations governing area of responsibility.
o Responsible for reporting any potentially non-compliant conduct.
o Cooperates fully with our Compliance Officer in upholding our Compliance Plan.

• Leadership and modeling of Peak Vista values.

SUPERVISION: None

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Responsible for helping to create a high quality, effective dental practice that meets the needs of our target area.

• Progress is reviewed quarterly and results are measured and formally evaluated annually.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

A. Education / Experience:

1. Graduation from an approved School of Dental Hygiene.
2. Possession of a current Colorado license as a registered dental hygienist.
3. Certification to administer local anesthesia.

B. Knowledge, skills and abilities:

1. Sensitivity to low income and ethnic minority community a must.
2. Working knowledge of all phases of the field of dental hygiene.
3. Skill in the techniques of oral hygiene procedures and the use of equipment, instruments, and materials.
4. Basic computer skills required.
5. Knowledge and practice of preventative dentistry and ability to instruct patients and staff.
6. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff.
7. Ability to work in a team environment required.
8. Excellent coaching skills.
9. Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• All employees, managers and leadership
• Medical Peds Staff
• Patients
• Outside contacts such as community, other healthcare providers

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED:

• Dental materials and equipment
• Electronic Dental Record
• Computer
• Telephone

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Dental operatory and equipment as well as usual office environment with sitting, walking, standing, stooping.
• Ability to travel from clinic to clinic in own vehicle as required.

PERKS/BENEFITS:

• Medical - Dental - Vision - Life - STD - LTD
• 403(b) Retirement with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Continuous Medical Education
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Perks Rewards
• Employee Assistance Program

Summary of Benefits: https://www.peakvista.org/resources/benefits-summary

*Successful candidates will complete pre-employment screening; which includes, but is not limited to a Criminal Background check. Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a drug and alcohol free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

**PVCHC participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s I-9 to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration Records. To learn more, visit: everify.com