Dental Assistant on-call

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational, and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services.

About the Role

To assist the dental provider in the delivery of dental services to Sea Mar Community Health Center patients, demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients being served. Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization.

As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:

• Understanding and empathizing with client needs
• Surpassing client expectations
• Demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Exhibiting compassion and commitment
• Advocating for social justice
• Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
• Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices, and technology

Responsibilities

• Anticipate and provide to Dental Providers all necessary chair-side assistance using four-handed dentistry technique with procedures in categories as required: Diagnostic, Preventative, Restorative, Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontic, Orthodontics, and other services allowed by the Washington Dental Practice Act.
• Identify and categorize each patient's age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescents, and geriatric patients.
• Escort each patient to and from the treatment room.
• Greet, seat, and depart patients, being courteous and professional at all times, especially when talking to patients or discussing confidential information.
• Provide patient education and instructions to patients before, after, and during any dental procedure.
• Communicate provider delays and delays in patient flow to the Lead Dental Assistant, the Dental provider, the patients, and the front desk staff.
• Participate in scheduling appointments, arriving, and departing patients in Dentrix and registering patients in Allscripts PM.
• Complete thorough, accurate charting in Dentrix using S.O.A.P. or P.A.R.T.S. format.
• Obtain accurate blood pressure readings and other vital signs as directed by Dental Provider.
• Maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and the sterilization areas.
• Perform the responsibilities outlined in the "Task & Duty List" (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.
• Participate in the training of new employees and/or dental trainees.
• Assist in doing inventory and the ordering of dental supplies.
• Participate in the Quality Improvement Activities of the Dental Department and of Sea Mar Community Health Centers (assigned by a lead dental assistant or the immediate supervisor).

The duties and responsibilities for this position may change with changes occurring in the clinic activities or requirements. The supervisor may assign temporary work in other departments or other dental sites.

Competency Requirements

The pre-hire competency test must be passed (at 80% correct) before a person can transfer or be hired. At the time of hire, an employee will be given the training plan and calendar with all important dates and the outline of what material is to be covered. The expectation must be made clear that they will be required to pass a competency test after 60 days worked in order to pass probation.

• At 40 days worked, the employee will be given an evaluation of job functions and outlines any deficiencies that need to be improved. Any training necessary to clarify these expectations will be given by the dental supervisor or dental designee at that time.
• The Probationary Competency Evaluation/Test will be given just prior to reaching the 60th day worked. Only two hours of paid time should be allotted to complete the evaluation/test. It shall be scored as follows:
  • Above 80% - Pass Probationary Eval to include review/training on wrong answers
  • 60-80% - Extend Probation for 22 working days with a written list of areas to resolve
  • Below 60% - Terminate employee
• An annual competency test will be given each year to all Dental Assisting staff that has been out of probation for more than 90 days. If this annual test is not passed with at least 80% correct, the Dental Assistant will receive 1-on-1 training in deficient areas within 1 month of the annual test. Failure to pass the subsequent tests will result in disciplinary action including suspension and up to termination of the position.

Qualifications

• Operate in a manner that will prevent employees/patients exposure to communicable diseases through proper infection control.
• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Completed a formal Dental Assistant program at a College, Technical Institute, or equivalent. Employees with no formal training must have a minimum of 1 year of work experience in a Dental Assistant position.
• Registered with the Washington State Department of Health, and keep their registration updated annually. Failure to have a current Washington State Registration will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and up to termination.
• Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• Annual TB test required.
• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required.
• Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved exemption must wear a mask at all times during the flu season.

Skills

• Must be able to read and write in English.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients and staff both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret common written materials about dentistry.
• Ability to communicate basic mathematical figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Ability to define and problem solve, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• The employee may be required to share workspace with other employees.
• Adequate lighting and equipment are available to the employee.
• Use of ergonomic office furniture will be used when available and appropriate.
• Some traveling may be required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands that must be met by a Dental Assistant are those required to successfully perform the essential functions of dental assisting in dentistry. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly requires the physical demands to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must be able to lift or move a child or object of an average weight (up to 50 lbs.).
• Vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Pay

Hourly - $22.34 USD

Benefits

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Full-time employees working 30 hours or more receive an excellent benefit package including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays
• 401(k)/Retirement options