Senior Dental Assistant

University Hospital, Newark; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Senior Dental Assistant to provide both administrative and clinical support within a dynamic clinic environment. This role involves mentoring junior staff, assisting in patient care, and performing essential dental procedures. Candidates should possess a high school diploma, relevant certifications, and a passion for patient care. Join a team dedicated to delivering exceptional service in a supportive atmosphere, where your skills will directly impact patient outcomes and contribute to a collaborative healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited Dental Assisting Program is required.
• Must be registered with the NJ Board of Dentistry as a Registered Dental Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and assist in dental procedures under local anesthesia.
• Mentor and precept Dental Assistants while providing direction.

Skills

Customer Service Skills

Basic Patient Care Procedures

Mentoring and Precepting

Communication Skills

Basic Physiological Monitoring

Education

High School Diploma

Dental Assisting Program

CPR Certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

The primary purpose of the Senior Dental Assistant position is to provide administrative and clinical support for the clinic. The role includes mentoring and precepting Dental Assistants, ordering and maintaining supplies, assisting doctors and nurses with patient care plans, providing direct patient care, performing simple dental procedures, and supporting the professional staff in patient evaluation and treatment. The position also involves chairside assistance during dental procedures under local anesthesia and requires competency in all procedures within the scope of practice, appropriate for patients from neonatal to end of life.

Responsibilities

• Exhibit strong customer service skills in interactions with the public, patients, staff, and physicians.
• Assist in providing direction and problem solving to the Dental Assistant staff. Mentor and precept Dental Assistants as assigned.
• Perform, monitor, and record basic physiological parameters such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, and oral intake/output.
• Participate in planning and evaluating patient care by communicating all relevant information about the patient's status.
• Set up dental equipment, instruments, and supplies needed for surgical/dental procedures prior to each case.
• Provide direct assistance to the provider during examinations and treatments under local anesthesia and/or Nitrous Oxide.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required, along with completion of an accredited Dental Assisting Program. Certification as a Dental Assistant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Anesthesia Assistant, and related experience (minimum four years) are required. CPR certification is also required.

Applicants must be able to perform basic procedures such as taking temperatures, pulses, blood pressures, and other simple assessments.

Must be registered with the New Jersey Board of Dentistry as a Registered Dental Assistant and hold a valid Dental Radiologic Technology License issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required.

Must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform job duties.

Credential requirements: Dental Assisting Certification, NJ Dental Radiologic Technology License, BLS (CPR).

Primary source verification: NJ Bureau of Radiological Health, NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Dentistry; University Hospital's designated Background Check Company.

Physical demands: Standing and walking for approximately two-thirds of the time, sitting for one-third, using hands over two-thirds of the time, reaching intermittently, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling for about one-third, talking or hearing over two-thirds, and lifting up to 25 lbs. as needed.

Work environment: Moderate noise levels typical of an office setting, with exposure to bloodborne pathogens requiring the use of personal protective equipment.