Position Description
Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Position Overview:
The Client Service Specialist, Dental Assistant supports patient care services provided by the Dental Clinic. The CSS, Dental Assistant is responsible for performing clinical tasks in accordance with all Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and Dental Program protocols. This position will work with the clinical team to create and maintain efficient, patient-centered daily clinic operations while providing comprehensive public health services to all Harris County Public Health Dental Clinic patients seeking dental services.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Receives, screens, interviews client for eligibility determination, and registers clients; Co-pay collection, and receipt creation following financial services guidelines; prepares daily/weekly financial reconciliation report for submission to finance
- Performs all duties required as part of four handed chairside dental assisting; takes and records vital signs; takes prescribed dental radiographs and/or intraoral photographs; chart patient diagnoses in Dentrix electronic dental record as dictated by dentist
- Answers telephone inquiries from clients and others; screen calls to determine nature and urgency of inquiry, refers calls as appropriate, and/or schedules appointment with dental clinical staff; instructs patient as needed regarding visit-type; confirms scheduled appointments and updates appointment status in Dentrix electronic record
- Performs operatory set-up for each dental patient including barrier placement on high touch areas; procedure set up including instrument and dental material selection according to planned procedure
- Obtains patient histories, and insurance approvals as appropriate, prepares and updates dental charts and associated records; scans all correspondence into Dentrix electronic record
- Performs infection control and instrument sterilization according to dental policies and procedures; performs weekly biologic monitoring for autoclaves; performs daily, weekly and monthly dental preventive maintenance; reports any equipment malfunction or repair needs to supervising dentist
- Performs in-operatory support for all dental staff during the dental visit as needed
- Provides oral hygiene and post-operative instructions to patient under the guidance of the dentist; Participate in school based and community events to promote oral health
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Requirements
Education:
- High School diploma or GED equivalency
Experience:
- Six months experience in a dental clinical setting as a Dental Assistant
Licensure:
- Texas Registered Dental Assistant
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- Valid driver's license
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
- Ability to work well with public and staff members
- Must use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process
Core Competencies:
Organizational Leadership
- Understands the organizational mission
- Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
- Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others
Collaboration
- Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
- Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
- Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
Innovation
- Ability to adapt to change
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
- Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
- Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
- Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
- Uses sound judgment
- Self-motivated
- Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity
Communication
- Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
NOTE:Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
- Full-Time | Regular
- Monday – Friday | 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.; However, times may vary due to the variability of an event-based schedule
- Other days and hours as necessary
- This job operates in both a clinical environment as well as in alternative community-based settings including mobile dental events in different locations throughout Harris County.
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and scanners.
- Must possess the physical ability and manual dexterity to assist the dentist and dental hygienist with direct patient care in a dental clinical setting.
- 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 324, Houston TX, 77036
- Must be willing to travel to work at multiple clinic locations within Harris County, as directed
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Wellness
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
- 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
- Professional development opportunities
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Retirement pension (TCDRS)
- Flexible schedules (varies by department)
- Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
- Flexible schedules (varies by department)
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.