On-Call Dental Hygienist

Who We Are

NHC is a non-profit organization based in Portland, OR, dedicated to providing primary care, internal medicine, dental services, and more to underserved patients. Our patient-centered approach values the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. We recognize that the time spent in a doctor’s office is just one aspect of a person's overall health and work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide comprehensive care.

About the Role

This position is responsible for providing dental hygiene and periodontal therapy treatment to patients in clinic and mobile dental units. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing clinical services such as prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, soft tissue curettage, and preventative care (oral health screenings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and education).
• Entering patient information into the electronic dental record, including chief complaints, health histories, medications, allergies, vitals, patient pain levels, findings, and treatment plans.
• Developing and implementing preventive oral health programs for patients.
• Performing blood pressure screenings and administering topical and local anesthesia as permitted by license.
• Maintaining proper infection control practices, including PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization, and dental operatory disinfection.
• Maintaining collaborative relationships with all levels of co-workers and the general public.
• Assisting in new employee training on specific tasks, as needed.
• Participating in process and quality improvement workflows.
• Maintaining punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Complying with NHC standardized workflows, protocols, HIPAA, OSHA, and safety guidelines.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
• One year related experience and/or training preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• A valid and unencumbered Oregon Dental Hygiene License is required.
• A BLS card is required.
• Highly punctual and dependable.
• Able to maintain discretion with sensitive or confidential information.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work under direction of multiple people.
• Intermediate or higher proficiency of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Able to effectively manage multiple tasks, sometimes with conflicting deadlines.
• Able to work independently and within a team setting.
• Familiarity with video conferencing applications and software.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work flexible hours occasionally as needed.

Work Conditions

This position is full-time and is scheduled to work 40 hours per week, with 4/10 hour workdays. Working days and locations may be variable. Occasional weekend availability may be required. Due to high patient volume, this position experiences stressors that come with a fast-paced environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud. Regularly sit while working on the computer; use hands and fingers to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls; repeat the same movements when entering data; ability to differentiate between colors, shades, and brightness; read from a computer screen for extended periods of time. Frequently stand and walk around the office to gather supplies, required to do filing, use office equipment, or collaborate with employees. Occasionally stand, stoop, lift, or move objects, equipment, and supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds up to 40-50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.