Squaxin Island Tribe is hiring: Dental Assistant in Shelton

Description:

Department: Health Clinic

Reports To: Dental Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Time Status: .8 (32 Hours)

TS Range: 7/8 ($26.38)

Closing Date: Open until filled

SUMMARY: The Dental Assistant assists the Dentist on all routine and chair-side duties for dental procedures. Occasionally, the Dental Assistant will assist the Hygienist in chair-side duties for dental procedures. The Dental Assistant will work as part of a dental team serving the Squaxin Island Tribal Community.

When chair-side assisting is not required, the Dental Assistant will perform a variety of office support and administrative duties in support of program operations. The assistant will act as the designated office support contact for clients, schedule routine appointments, and notify the Hygienist of emergencies or situations requiring action, and any clinic maintenance or supply needs. The assistant performs clerical assignments such as responding to inquires regarding policies, procedures, services and the day to day functions of the dental program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Assist Hygienist/Dentist in seating and preparing patients for treatment.

• Prepare dental trays according to Hygienist/Dentist instructions.

• Correctly expose, develop, and mount radiographs.

• Assist the Hygienist/Dentist in procedures by retracting patient's cheek, tongue, or other tissue; passing appropriate hand instrument, and removing debris during operative procedures using suction, air, and/or water, applying topical anesthetic.

• Fabricate and place temporary and acrylic crowns.

• Assist Dentist in removal of surgical dressing.

• Proper sterilization of instruments.

• Disinfect operatories and equipment according to OSHA/WISHA infection control standards.

• Routine maintenance and cleaning of dental equipment.

• Check and replenish operatory supplies.

• Other related duties as directed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to use dental instruments, operatories, and equipment and to use dental terminology for procedures, equipment, and preparation for treatment.

• Proficient in radiology.

• Ability to use elements and analyze elements of dental anatomy in order to carry out certain intra-oral procedures. Skill and dexterity in performing all intra-oral procedures.

• Skills and dexterity in performing all intra-oral techniques.

• Front office experience, including filing, answering clinic telephone, scheduling, and accurately communicating between clients and Hygienists/Dentist.

• Good public relations and interpersonal relationship skills. The ability to interact with a variety of individuals exercising tact, diplomacy, and mature judgment. Must be able to meet and great and deal with the public in a pleasant, courteous, and professional manner; at times in stressful situations.

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing for the purpose of obtaining and conveying information in a clear and concise manner.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of records, and information, specifically health related information.

• Proficient computers skills including MS Office (Word, Excel etc.)

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must have current Washington State Driver's License. Must have Washington State Dental Assistant Certification. Must have current first aid, CPR, or obtain it within 14 days after start of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, and to talk and hear; frequently required to walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee may frequently be required to lift up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

This position also requires close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed in a given point), and depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into clear focus).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While perfonning the duties of this job, the employee will frequently be exposed to wet or humid conditions. The employee will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, vibration in the workplace and may frequently be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and radiation. The noise level for this position is generally moderate.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening and will fall under the heightened screening category in accordance with the Tribe's Drug Free Workplace Policy.

OTHER: Selected candidate will be subject to and must successfully pass a criminal background check.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe's Personnel Policies.

CONTACT: Human Resources Department (360) 426-9781.

Requirements:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: BA and 1 year of experience working as a dental assistant in a general practice or clinic OR AA and a minimum of 3 years experience working as a dental assistant in a general practice or clinic. OR High School Diploma or GED and a Washington State Dental Assistant Certification and a minimum of 4 years experience working as a dental assistant in a general practice or clinic. Experience assisting with the placement of dental implants.