Dental Assistant

Company: JWCH Institute
Location: Lancaster
Posted on: May 20, 2023

Job Description:

The Mission of JWCH Institute is to improve the health status and well-being of under-served segments of the population of Los Angeles Area through the direct provision or coordination of health care, health education, services, and research.

Position Purpose:

This position is responsible for assisting the Dentist(s) in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients at the clinic. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation and inventory control of dental instruments, supplies, and for proper infection control of all areas involving patient care.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Serves as dentist's chair-side assistant and assists the dental hygienist as needed.
• Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist or hygienist.
• Prepares operation procedures for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentist's directions.
• Completion of dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations and law, as well as Dental Department directive's and protocols.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated by the dentist in accordance with state regulation, law, and Department directive's and protocols.
• Maintains all Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer's directions and Dental Department policy and protocol.
• Maintains adequate operation of supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintains a daily list of all scheduled Dental Department patients, monitors patient flow, and assists the dentist(s) in assuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
• Ensures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive's and protocols.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directives, clinic policy, as well as state and federal regulations.
• Participates in appropriate health promotion / disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.
• Maintains Dental Department compliance, relative to Infection Exposure Control, safety, and HIPPA as required by local, State, and Federal guidelines, Dental Department directives and protocols, and clinic policies and procedures.
• May be required to perform front office duties such as: scheduling and confirming appointments, verify insurance/ other pertinent patient eligibility, check patients in and out, collect co-pay and balance due and manage patient flow to reduce cycle time and enhance the patient experience, etc. Education and Experience:
• High School diploma or GED certificate required.
• Completion of accredited course in dental assisting.
• X-Ray, infection control and current CPR and First Aid certificates required.
• Bilingual: English /Spanish is required. Skills and Abilities:
• Effective written and oral communication.
• Comprehensive knowledge of dental assisting techniques and procedures for all phases of specialty and general dentistry.
• Knowledge of modern dental materials, their storage, handling and applications.
• Ability to work with persons from a wide diversity of social, ethnic and economic background.
• Ability to work creatively with other health care professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal results for the clinic's patient, from a system of integrated primary health care.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols. Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance:
• Frequent exposure to communicable disease, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.
• OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Classification - Category I.
• Utilizes appropriate Infection Control protocols.
• May be exposed to low level radiation.
• Will be exposed to outside environmental conditions while traveling.
  
  *All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Successful candidates for this position will be required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or request an exemption for qualifying medical or religious reasons during the onboarding process. Candidates should not present proof of vaccination until instructed to do so by the hiring department.
  
  Employee Benefits:
  
  JWCH Institute, Inc., offers competitive salaries for all positions. Full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Full Time Employees are also provided a monthly allowance which can be used towards insurance premiums. The agency offers vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, jury duty pay, direct deposit, credit union access, and an Employee Assistance Program. In addition JWCH offers a 401(k) Profit Sharing plan to employees who work a minimum of 1,000 hours per fiscal year.
  
  Wesley Health Centers JWCH Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Keywords: JWCH Institute, Lancaster , Dental Assistant, Healthcare , Lancaster, California