Dental Assistant Extern (Mt Diablo)

La Clinica de La Raza•Concord, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

La Clínica de La Raza is a community-based health center providing culturally appropriate, high-quality, and accessible health care to diverse communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. This unpaid volunteer position is available only to current Dental Assistant externs from Mt Diablo Unified School District. The extern will be coached in hands-on dental assisting and may acquire knowledge of basic dental assisting practices, terminology and equipment; dental office procedures; computer applications and electronic health records; and techniques for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment, exam rooms and patient treatment areas. The role supports patient care, clinical operations, quality and patient experience, and may include general office duties. The extern is expected to follow La Clínica's ethical and professional standards, policies and procedures, and to participate in team activities and development opportunities. Saturday and evening rotation availability is required.

Requirements

Must be a current Dental Assistant extern from Mt Diablo Unified School District.
Able to participate in Saturday and evening rotation.
Able to work in four-handed dentistry and perform job functions involving continuous movement.
Able to follow oral and written instructions.
Able to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal English, with correct spelling and grammar.
Able to work professionally and collaboratively as a team member in support of clinic quality and efficiency standards.
Able to work and communicate with people from varied ethnic, socioeconomic, educational and life-experience backgrounds.
Flexible in accepting change gracefully.
Able to perform clerical duties methodically, independently and thoroughly, with speed and accuracy and minimal supervision.
Able to work independently, exercise good judgment and make accurate mathematical computations.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency.

Responsibilities

Manage patient flow and ensure dental exam rooms are stocked and ready for patients.
Prepare patients for dental examinations by taking and recording vital signs and medical and dental histories.
Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
Communicate patient requests to the dentist or dental care team members.
Assist the dentist during treatment procedures, including taking dental x-rays.
Clean, sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment; prepare instruments, materials and medication for dental procedures.
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control and provide post-treatment oral care instructions.
Provide prescription information to pharmacies as directed by the dentist.
Record treatment information in patient records using an Electronic Dental Records system.
Work effectively with providers and dental care team members to support patient experience and quality outcomes.
Contribute to a welcoming clinical space and healthy work environment through relationship building, direct communication and sound judgment.
Participate in huddles, staff meetings, team-building activities, assigned development opportunities and educational opportunities.
Perform general office duties as needed, including scheduling appointments, answering telephones, recording medical updates from providers and completing insurance forms.
Register and greet patients, collect and post payments, prepare treatment estimates for review with patients, and run, balance and close end-of-day reports.
Assist patients with insurance forms.
Inventory supplies and equipment, order items and verify receipt of dental, lab or office supplies or equipment.
Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance and calling for repairs.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.