EXTERNSHIP - DENTAL ASSISTING

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The purpose of externship opportunities for students rotating at Lorain County Health & Dentistry is to provide a community health center environment to further expand class based learning and competencies in a clinical setting. Externs are expected to follow all procedures and policies according to Lorain County Health & Dentistry employment and clinical practices.

Learning Objectives to Be Achieved

• Welcome and drape patients.
• Review patient’s medical and oral history.
• Develop clinical competency in the area of Diagnostic Radiographs.
• Develop clinical competency in areas of 4 handed dental procedures, including: Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery Procedures, and Endodontics.
• Care for patient flow, ensuring patients are seated timely and appropriately.
• Affirm that the clinical area meets or exceeds quality and regulatory standards.
• Remove all instruments and tools from treatment room after use and process them for sterilization.
• Assist in preparing trays and setting up for all procedures.
• Clean and set up treatment rooms for scheduled procedures.
• Prepare, decontaminate, and disinfect instruments, tray setup, and instrument sterilization.
• Manage general house cleaning tasks.
• Break down and set up operatories.
• Maintain lab counter areas, keeping them clean and free of clutter.
• Document and maintain accurate sterilization records.
• Collect, store, and ensure proper disposal of biohazards and sharps waste.
• Be knowledgeable of spill containment and clean up.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure all patient records are maintained accurately by those who report them.
• Maintain HIPPA policy at all times.
• Sustain infection prevention standards at all times per company policy.
• Demonstrate clinical competence in all areas of assigned job functions.

PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Local travel required.
• Attend meetings and trainings as directed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Fine and gross motor skills will be frequently employed.
• Some lifting of supplies and equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current enrollment in an accredited Dental Assisting education program.
• Desire to pursue dental career and willingness to grow and participate in hands-on Dental Assistant training.
• Desire to pursue Ohio Radiographer license and training to produce competent diagnostic radiographs.
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor and communicate enthusiastically with patients.
• Ability to be responsive in working with a culturally-diverse patient population.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to master a therapeutic communication approach.
• Ability to independently complete multiple tasks.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively support a team.