Dental Assistant

Job Summary

All positions are assigned to a primary (home) work site. Employees designated as Float will be expected to regularly travel between multiple sites to support coverage for planned and unplanned staffing needs. Employees not designated as Float will primarily work at their assigned home site but may be temporarily reassigned to other sites based on operational requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Reads, speaks, understands and writes proficiently in English.
• Works independently and is self-directed.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and coordinates multiple activities and tasks.
• Works with initiative, energy and effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.
• Remains calm and effective in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Produces work in high quantity and quality.
• Problem-solves with creativity and ingenuity.
• Uses multi-line telephones and other office machines.
• Knows dental terminology.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel and Outlook.

Preferred

• Bilingual skills.

Education

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Graduate of a Dental Assisting program, or a foreign trained dentist working a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a dental assistant, or a Dental Assistant having worked no less than 500 hours of patient care time within the past 12 months while having received verifiable on-the-job training in a dental practice.

Experience

• Customer service related experience working with the general public (1 year).
• Experience in a multiple provider dental practice.
• Digital imaging familiarity.
• CDT-5 coding experience.
• Healthcare information systems, such as electronic health record and practice management systems experience.
• Working with low income, multi-ethnic populations.

Job Specific Functions/Performance

• Greets patients, interpreters and visitors, in person and by phone, in a prompt, courteous and helpful manner, to respond to inquiries, take messages, and provide accurate information regarding schedules and services.
• Assists patients in completing all necessary forms, verifies contents, provides complete pre-op and post-op instructions, answers questions or refers as needed to the Dentists, and assures completion of pre-authorizations.
• Works in tandem with the reception staff in managing interpretive services.
• Aids the Dentists in determining dental problems and offering oral health education.
• Aids the Dentists in timely delivery of accurate and complete fee slips to receptionist for every patient encounter.
• Maintains a smooth and efficient patient flow for entire clinic for maximum productivity.
• Performs competently and independently all dental treatment procedures in use at CHC and allowable by Dental Assistants under Washington State Law.
• Performs radiographic surveys as prescribed by the Dentists for diagnostic purposes (expose, develop, mount and label films).
• Assists the Dentists chairside in providing dental care for patients utilizing efficient four handed dentistry techniques of instrument exchange, oral evacuation, tissue retraction, and materials preparation.
• Opens and closes operatories and keeps operatories fully stocked, organized, and safe.
• Reprocesses operatories and instruments following each patient encounter with promptness and efficiency.
• Prepares appropriate instruments and materials for each treatment procedure.
• Maintains current knowledge of dental materials, dental procedures, oral hygiene procedures, and sterilization/disinfection procedures in use at CHC.
• Fulfills established inventory and supply monitoring system and purchasing protocols for maintaining stock and ordering supplies as assigned.
• Fulfills established protocols for routine cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance and repair of instruments and equipment.
• Performs the duties of a Dental Receptionist, as needed, and assists with other departments when called upon.
• Adheres to organizational infection control practices and written plan.
• Adheres to attendance standards in order to perform the job functions for daily operations and/or continuity of patient care.

Benefits

• Competitive wages.
• Comprehensive benefits package addressing health, time off, retirement and career-advancement needs.
• Health insurance (medical/dental/vision).
• Up to 120 hours of vacation time pro-rated by FTE every 12 months.
• Paid sick leave.
• 10-paid holidays.
• 403(b) Safe Harbor retirement plan with employer match.
• Disability and life insurance.
• Additional $0.75/hour for those who test proficiently in a second language.
• $4,000 sign on bonus for Dental Assistants (available to eligible new hires only; current employees, internal transfers, and rehires are not eligible).

Qualifications

• Dental Assistant registration with the State of Washington.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR/AED) certification - must be obtained on the first day of hire.
• Verified immunity to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and varicella (chickenpox).

Pay

Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

N/A

Skills

• Knowledge of dental terminology.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel and Outlook.

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical/dental/vision).
• Up to 120 hours of vacation time pro-rated by FTE every 12 months.
• Paid sick leave.
• 10-paid holidays.
• 403(b) Safe Harbor retirement plan with employer match.
• Disability and life insurance.
• Additional $0.75/hour for those who test proficiently in a second language.
• $4,000 sign on bonus for Dental Assistants (available to eligible new hires only; current employees, internal transfers, and rehires are not eligible).