Temporary Dental Assistant

divh2Dental Assistant/h2pApplications are accepted until there are sufficient numbers of qualified applications or qualified candidate has been identified. The position could possibly close at any time./ppUnder the supervision of Dental Director and Community Health Center Manager, the Dental Assistant assists in the examination of patients and the delivery of needed dental treatment in a Dental Health Center setting. Provides chair side assistance, prepares restorative materials and medications, sterilizes dental instruments, takes and develops x-rays and performs other functions to assist the dentist./ph3Essential Functions/h3olliGreets patients, reviews medical and dental history, and prepares them for dental treatment. Evaluates patient behavior and participates in the behavioral management of patients to alleviate their anxiety or fears. May include giving basic explanation of procedures./liliArranges dental instruments, assembles dental instruments, materials, and medications on chair side tray in order of use. Provides post-operative instructions to patient and/or parent as prescribed by the dentist./liliSterilizes instruments and keeps other equipment and surfaces disinfected using autoclave, ultrasonic cleaner, or chemical solutions. Practices required sterile techniques and ensures sanitary storage of supplies and equipment. Sends sterilized strips from autoclaves to companies for testing to ensure that autoclaves are working properly. Sterilization of instruments is performed both onsite in the Dental Health Center as well as on the Mobile Dental Center./liliAssists dentist chair side for restorative and surgical procedures by preparing, passing, and receiving appropriate dental instruments, restorative materials, amalgams, dental cements, and temporary sedative fillings in the prescribed fashion./liliPrepares material and impression trays used to construct models of a patients mouth which is needed to manufacture appliances or dentures./liliKeeps oral environment visible during dental procedures by use of high volume evacuation, air, water spray, rubber dams, or other devices. Assists dentist/hygienist in a manner as to optimize the safety of the patient, hygienist, or dentist in the course of patient treatment./liliTakes and develops dental radiographs, following radiation safety protocols./liliDisposes of waste materials from dental procedures including dental sharps, extracted teeth, blood soaked gauze, cotton rolls, and other disposable supplies according to OSHA guidelines and infection control./liliInstructs patients and parents on proper oral hygiene and other dental issues./liliAssists in staffing outreach activities related to dental health. Distributes promotional materials, makes presentations, and gives tours to interested groups. This Includes Sealant program, distributing permission slips for Lansing and Holt Schools. Schedule Sealant visit dates with schools for the school year. Follow up with parents of students identified as needing further dental care during Sealants. Schedule and perform oral care education presentations at individual schools./liliCleans, and disinfects as necessary, the general service area in the Health Center and on the Mobile Dental Center. Inventories, orders, and stores service materials./liliPrepares bills for services provided, prepares purchase requisitions to order supplies and submits them to Dental Director and CHC Manager for approval (forwards them to the accounting office)-remove and performs other support tasks associated with the work./li/olpOther Functions:/pulliDuring a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description./liliDrives Mobile Dental Center to and from schools, schedules maintenance and repair appointments for the MDC add:/liulliFueling MDC (diesel fuel only), fill on-board fresh water tank (done when washing MDC)/liliEmpty grey water tank (done when washing MDC)/li/ulliClean Mobile Dental Center interior weekly./liliDental Equipment Preventative Maintenance./liliInspect dental equipment and perform general maintenance on interior dental equipment./liliTighten bolts on Operatory chairs and lights -Often become loose due to varying road conditions./liliClean Autoclave and Ultrasonic instrument cleaner./liliSchedule autoclave and Ultrasonic cleaner equipment inspection./liliCheck internal vacuum pump controls./liliInspect external dental air compressor and dental vacuum motor (under vehicle, forward passenger side)./liliSchedule annual air compressor maintenance, compressor air filter replacement s and any vacuum motor repairs with Dental Repair technician./li/ulp(The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.)/ph3Employment Qualifications/h3pExperience: Six months of experience as a Dental Assistant. Other Requirements: Must be certified, or be able to become certified, in monitoring and assisting in the administration of Nitrous anesthesia. Must be certified in dental radiographs (x-rays). Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions. Must provide copies of certifications. (The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)/ph3Requirements and Working Conditions/h3pstrongPhysical Requirements:/strong/pulliAbility to push and pull the dental unit, weighing 25 lbs./liliAbility to perform physical movements specific to dental assisting, including the precise passing of instruments, materials, and medications./liliAbility to deal with the visual restraints of working in the oral cavity./liliAbility to restrain and manage uncooperative patients./li/ulp(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)/ppstrongWorking Conditions:/strong/pulliAbility to work in an area with high noise levels caused by dental equipment./liliExposure to chemicals found in dental materials and products, such as acids and disinfectants./liliExposure to biological hazards such as blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, contaminated wastes, saliva, and radiation./li/ul/div