Dental Assistant, Prosthodontics - Penn Dental Medicine

About the University

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

About the role

Penn Dental Medicine's Prosthodontics team is seeking an experienced Dental Assistant who will prepare and maintain dental operatories, assist the dentists chairside, sterilize instruments, take radiographs, and may also be asked to work at the front desk if requested. The ideal candidate will maintain, order, store & dispose of supplies & materials & work collaboratively with laboratory teams to track lab cases, maintain the milling machines & enforce policies & protocols for department compliance & accreditation. The Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics, established in 2017, is the latest addition to the Graduate Dental Education Programs at Penn Dental Medicine. The program begins on July 1, and continues through 36 calendar months.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients, work collaboratively with faculty, staff & residents to set-up patients according to dental accreditation, safety & infection control standards.
• Thoroughly clean chair & flush lines, set-up & break down operatories, clean prosthodontic instruments, accurately take X-rays (CBCT, PAs, PANs, Intraoral Scanning), & prepare presentations and curriculum materials.
• Assist chair-side utilizing 4-handed technique with patient treatments (restorative and surgical phases).
• Coordinate iBook procedures & updates to department content/procedures using various technologies.
• Maintain, order, store & dispose of supplies & materials & work collaboratively with laboratory teams to track lab cases, maintain the milling machines & enforce policies & protocols for department compliance & accreditation.
• Inventory coordination & reconciliation of spreadsheets/databases as needed for accurate record keeping using various systems with accuracy & precision.
• Takes responsibility for all work activities & personal actions; follows through on commitments; implements decisions that have been agreed upon; maintains confidentiality with sensitive information; acknowledges & learns from mistakes without blaming others; recognizes the impact of one's behavior on others.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma/GED required. Technical school, certification, training or apprenticeship required beyond high school and 3 - 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Previous dental assistant working experience with solid understanding of dental terminology, treatments & procedures is required.

Competencies

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent speaking voice; proper grammar, diction, enunciation and tone.
• Excellent listening and organization skills; ability to multi-task.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and written within all levels.
• Ability to work with others in a collaborative and professional manner; teamwork is essential.
• Ability to adapt to change and meet the unexpected needs and demands.
• Must be accountable, dependable, independent, motivated, punctual, reliable and flexible.
• Must exhibit excellent work ethic and maintain honesty and integrity.
• Working knowledge of dental management systems, preferably axiUm.
• Experience in consumer-side healthcare environment.
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion.
• Competency using a variety of computer applications, including MS Office suite, iBooks and other instructional media.

Pay

$17.12 - $22.50 Hourly Rate. 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.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits; flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: tuition assistance for employee, spouse, and dependent children at Penn; dependent children also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth options; investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: substantial paid time off for vacation, personal affairs, illness, family care.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: through Genworth Financial for faculty, staff, and eligible family members; no proof of good health required for newly hired employees.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: wide variety of programs and resources for health, family, and work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: array of resources for personal and professional advancement.
• University Resources: access to libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, cultural events (Penn Museum, Annenberg Center, Penn Relays, etc.), many free for employees and families.
• Discounts and Special Services: arts/entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cellular plans, movie tickets, theme parks, vehicle discounts (Ford, GM).
• Flexible Work Hours: non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures to promote balance.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: forgivable loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: reimbursement for qualified adoption expenses (travel, court fees) up to two adoptions per household.

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department

School of Dental Medicine