DENTAL HYGIENIST - CORE CENTER

Typical Duties

• Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
• Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient's dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided within a 24 hour period.
• Responsible for the delivery of preventive care, treatment, and referrals.
• Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.
• Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center's clinical protocols.
• Maintain high standard of dental hygiene practice and participate in the training and development of the dental team.
• Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient's health care management.
• Affords assistance in the development, implementation and monitoring of dental clinic policies, protocol and procedures as needed to achieve goals and objectives.
• Affords assistance in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations(s).
• Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations.
• Affords assistance in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
• As a member of the health care team, exemplify an example in attitude toward patients and staff, thereby, performing duties with respect, dignity, privacy, and modesty to the patients.

Qualifications

• Must be a Graduate of an accredited School of Dental Hygiene is required (MUST PROVIDE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AT TIME OF INTERVIEW)
• Must be licensed to practice Dental Hygiene in the State of Illinois is required (MUST PROVIDE PROOF AT TIME OF INTERVIEW)
• Must possess an unrestricted license and current CPR certification is required (MUST PROVIDE PROOF AT TIME OF INTERVIEW)
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of oral hygiene care in an outpatient setting is required
• Preferred Qualifications: Previous direct patient care experience within a healthcare center, dental clinic, or hospital setting is preferred
• Bilingual is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Other Characteristics

• Advanced knowledge of the methods and principles of dental hygiene and skill in their application to effect optimal oral health and ensure the delivery of appropriate dental care to patients.
• Advanced knowledge of oral hygiene to effect optimal oral health and ensure the delivery of appropriate dental care to patients.
• Advanced knowledge of electronic health records.
• Skill to motivate and tactfully obtain patient cooperation to facilitate the delivery of dental care to patients.
• Skill to maintain effective working relationships with healthcare professionals and others to be successful in achieving a common goal.
• Skill to handle dental instruments and materials with dexterity to prevent injuries to staff and patients.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• This position is functioning within a healthcare environment.
• The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements.

Veteran Preference

• To Take Advantage Of This Preference a Veteran Must Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing.
• Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date.
• Congress must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11).
• Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status.
• Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable OR A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.
• If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference
• VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.