Dental Assistant, Penn Dental Medicine at PHMC Health Center on Cedar

About the role

The Dental Assistant for Penn Dental Medicine’s (PDM) team at Public Health Management Corporation’s (PHMC) Cedar campus will provide direct patient care and clinical, as well as student and resident support.

Responsibilities

• Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and obtaining medical history and patient vitals, and draping patient.
• Documents dental care services by charting in patient records.
• Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Provides materials by mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient’s mouth.
• Exposes and mounts digital x-rays in appropriate digital templates.
• Cleans and polishes removable appliances.
• Educates and motivates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, presenting and explaining treatment plans to patients, demonstrating effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, providing postoperative instructions and scheduling subsequent visits.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
• Protects patient and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Performs sterilization cycles of instruments and monitors sterilizer, including spore testing and recording.
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.
• Facilitates ordering of additional supply inventory when appropriate.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

Requirements

• Technical School, Certification, or training required beyond High School and minimum of 3 years of practical experience in a dental care facility or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Pennsylvania under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must have passed the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam.
• CPR certification and BLS required.
• Experience in a higher education dental setting a plus.
• Employment clearance through the State of PA to work on/with children: as determined through Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Fingerprinting Database is required.
• Experience with AxiUm preferred, experience with other electronic health records required.

Qualifications

• Desired Experience & Position Expectations

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow procedures.

Benefits

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements: Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits: Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition; Retirement; Time Away from Work; Long-Term Care Insurance; Wellness and Work-life Resources; University Resources; Arts and Cultural Centers and Museums; Discounts and Special Services; Flexible Work Hours; Penn Home Ownership Services; Adoption Assistance.