DENTAL ASSISTANT

Job title: Dental Assistant

Reports to: Director of Clinical Operations

Status: Full Time

Location/s: Mira Mesa, 10737 Camino Ruiz, Suite 235 San Diego CA 92126

The Organization

Operation Samahan (OpSam Health) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the San Diego County community. Founded in 1973 in a barber shop in Downtown San Diego by Filipino health professionals offering services to immigrants who did not have the finances, linguistic skills, or ability to navigate the health care system. Today, Operation Samahan has evolved into a diverse community health center with services available in National City, Mira Mesa, City Heights, and Rancho Penasquitos. We provide primary care, dental, behavioral health, family planning, integrative health and wellness, healthy eating, civic engagement, and other health related services to the uninsured, underinsured, and underserved families of all income levels regardless of their ability to pay.

JOB PURPOSE

Prepare the patient for the determined treatment and assist the dentist in performing treatment. Prepare materials and equipment for treatment and have ready for the dentist's use, take x-rays, and assist the dentist in laboratory work. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation, and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES

Administration:

• Assist patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions, and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist.
• Serves as dentist's chair-side assistant.
• Prepares operatory for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentist’s directions.
• Takes digital dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law and Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Process, pulls, and files patient charts as required.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
• Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and as time permits.
• Insures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, center policy as well as state and federal regulation(s).
• Performs all functions in full compliance with the center's and the Dental Department Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.
• Responsible for personal compliance in full with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures including but not limited to the participation of a Dental Assistant in the provision of clinical dental care, as well as those relating to, but not limited to personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.

Maintenance:

• Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer's directions and Dental Department policy and protocol.
• Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control exposure control and safety issues.
• Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintains a list of all Dental Department patients monitors patient flow and assist the Dentist in assuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.

Quality Management:

Customer Relations:

• Maintain professional working relationships with all levels of staff, clients and the public.
• Be a team player and cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives.

Safety:

• Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures as they relate to safe work practices.
• Follow all safety procedures and report unsafe conditions.
• Know location of nearest fire extinguisher and emergency exits.

HIPAA/Compliance:

• Maintain privacy of all patient, employee and volunteer information and access such information only on a need to know basis for business purposes.
• Comply with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations. Report unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful behavior or activity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills and be able to listen to the patient's concerns and problems with interest and empathy as well as being able to articulately explain any problems to management.
• Must have a high level of organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with a variety of people.
• Complete many different duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Must be able to work under stress when confronted with critical or unusual situations.
• Must be able to follow instructions explicitly.
• Demonstrates ability to exercise analytic ability and use sound judgment.

Required Education and Certifications:

• High School Diploma
• Dental Assistant Certificate including the following:
• Pit and Fissure Sealant, Coronal Polishing and Ultrasonic Scaling Certification.
• Proof of completing radiation safety course
• 3 CE Units OSHA and Infection Control, HIPAA (every 2 years)
• Current CPR certification (every 2 years)

Other Requirements:

• Have reliable transportation; clean driving record, and car insurance as required by the state
• Multilingual preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Normal office and dental center environment.
• Prolonged sitting or standing may be required.
• Physical movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity, and hand-eye coordination normally associated with dental assisting in general practice dentistry will be performed on a repetitive basis.
• The ability to distinguish letters and symbols as well as the ability to utilize telephones, computer terminals, and copiers is required.
• Work under stressful conditions as well as irregular hours may be required.
• Frequent exposure to communicable disease, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation, and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered

SALARY RANGE

$21.00 – 25.00