Licensed Dental Assistant Job at Riverland Community Health in Saint Paul

Riverland Community Health (RCH) is a Federally-Qualified Health Center in St. Paul, where patients receive community-based Family Practice medical care in addition to mental health, dentistry, social work and other integrated services. When joining RCH, you become part of a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming team who are dedicated to serving our patients and pursuing our mission to deliver excellent healthcare for all and training for the providers of tomorrow.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Licensed Dental Assistant is responsible for assisting the dentist and in some cases dental hygienist in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of the health center. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies, and other related work under the direct supervision of the Dental Director and Dental Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinic operations

• Prepare, maintain, clean and sterilize dental instruments and equipment, room and tray setup/take down and materials for specified procedure according to clinic operation procedures and OSHA infection control and safety protocols.
• Handle and dispose of infectious and hazardous waste according to clinic protocols.
• Backup front desk positions, provide relief and support to front desk functions and perform office duties as requested.
• Answer phone in dental clinic and screen calls, confirm appointments as needed.
• Perform daily clinic start-up and close-down procedures according to procedures and protocols.
• Inventory supplies and order replacement supplies, perform inventory for audit.
• Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
• Attend staff meetings and actively contribute to planning and problem solving of clinic processes and workflow.
• Comply with HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the position as assigned by the Dental Director or Dental Manager.

Patient care

• Verify patient’s identity; collect and record patient health histories (dental and medical), patient blood pressure and record information for dentist’s reference prior to examination.
• Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Take diagnostic x-rays.
• Assist dentist chair-side by organizing and preparing instruments for dentist’s use and assisting as needed during procedures.
• Advise patients in oral hygiene and dental care.
• Follow through with post-visit duties based on established clinic protocols.
• Interact positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population.
• Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs.
• Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.
• Accurately chart results/findings of oral exam, as instructed by provider.
• Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management and collections.
• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiencies of dentistry procedures, chairside assisting using four handed delivery techniques, clinic infection control procedures and established clinic protocols.
• Proficiently perform oral hygiene instructions, child prophylaxis and fluoride treatment, places dental sealants.
• Monitor nitrous oxide analgesic.
• Take alginate impressions, pour and trim models, prepare cases for outside lab. Organize and track returned lab cases.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITES

Achieve Results

• Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with the care and compassion expected.
• Ensure all patient records and related documents are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.
• Affect favorable billing and collection outcomes. Ensure all patient services information is collected and accurately submitted timely and accurately.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.

Relationships

• Develop favorable relationships with all patients. Instruct patients and their family members on general oral health care and/or information related to post-treatment care as appropriate.
• Establish favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with clinic operations, including front desk, dental hygienists, dentists, and other related staff. Be respectful and courteous to patients and co-workers. Adhere to client confidentiality policy.

Stewardship and Professionalism

• Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the organization at all times. Represent the organization in a highly professional manner at all times.
• Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Skill in providing excellent customer service and support; organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines; and excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, education, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with managers, co-workers, members of the public and professional groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, concisely with others (internal and external customers, both verbally and in writing), consistently demonstrate positive/proactive customer service attitude.
• Ability to work as an effective team member; function independently, exercise sound judgment and initiative; be flexible to shift priorities; maintain confidentiality; establish and maintain effective interpersonal work relationships, effectively assist providers; work toward goals and objectives of draft priorities.
• Knowledge of infection control protocol.
• Knowledge of digital x-ray exposure techniques.
• Ability to perform the job in accordance with Riverland Community Health’s Standards of Business Conduct, which includes compliance, ethics and integrity, confidentiality, protection of assets and avoidance of conflicts of interest and inappropriate business relationships.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Certificate of graduation from an accredited dental assisting school.
• Maintain a current active registration in dental assisting in the state of Minnesota.
• Previous work experience desirable.
• Clinical fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Expanded functions preferred.
• Desire to work within a dental public health center.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Maintain a current active registration in dental assisting in the state of Minnesota.
• Current in CPR for providers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to assist standing or sitting for a duration of time when needed, sometimes in compromised position to accommodate patients.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a clinic office environment. Contact with staff, patients and outside agencies. Possible exposure to communicable disease and medical preparations common to clinic environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

In addition, job offers made during flu season are conditioned on the candidate receiving the annual flu vaccination before their start date.

RCH is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.