Dental Assistant

Description: Assists the dentist with patient procedures and performs stocking, cleaning and sterilizing procedures to support dental office. To assist Dentist during examination and treatment of patients.

Reports To: Dentist

Exempt Status: Non-Exempt

Physical: Yes        Functional: Yes                    Respirator Fit Testing:  YES

Clinical: Yes

Direct Patient/Client Contact: Yes

Licensed, Registered, Certified: Yes

Competency: Yes

Annual Job Description/Skills Review: Yes

Primary Functions:

1. Responsible for assisting dentist with patient procedures consistent with the Illinois Dental Practice Act.
2. Responsible for various support tasks as assigned including dental unit set up and clean up, patient preparation, expose and develop dental diagnostic radiographs, sterilization of instrument, hand piece and equipment maintenance and supply inventory.
3. Responsible for working with the dentist to develop and carry out oral health promotion and prevention.
4. Responsible for observing infection control practices and universal precautions per OSHA standards.
5. Responsible for translating for clients and staff as requested.
6. Responsible for learning the intake/reception duties to cover any vacation or illness.
7. Responsible for the initiation of communication with supervisor to ensure an efficient use of available work time.
8. Responsible for acquiring a general knowledge of the workload and specialized knowledge of other job duties in the Health Center business office through cross-training.
9. Assist Dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
10. Provide post-operative instructions prescribed by Dentist.
11. Attend continuing education as required by Dentist.
12. Attend all mandatory office meetings and functions.
13. Regular and predictable attendance is required.
14. Request direction as needed.
15. Familiarizes and complies with all VNA policies and procedures.
16. Meets standards of behavior expectations.
17. Follows established guidelines for use and/or disclosure of protected health information. Employees should report any breaches of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules to the Privacy Officer (Director of Quality, Education & Risk Management) immediately. Failure to comply with HIPAA policies and procedures will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
18. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent, some office technology courses desired.
2. Completed course work and maintain certification as a Dental Assistant at an accredited Dental Assistant program or six months related experience and/or training. Prior chair side dental experience.

3.       Bi-lingual in Spanish/English as follows: Reading - Preferred. Written – Preferred. Speaking – Required.

1. Ability to alphabetize and add/subtract/multiply and divide necessary.
2. Health policies and requirements met. (see Personnel Policies).
3. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
4. Possess basic familiarity with computers and internet programs.
5. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with Dentist, staff and patients.

Essential Functions/Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
2. Manual dexterity sufficient to perform primary functions.
3. Tactile, visual and olfactory senses intact.
4. Ability to drive a car.
5. Ability to deal with high levels of stress.
6. Ability to life up to 50 lbs.

VNA complies with all laws enforced by EEOC and ADA.