Dental Assistant I

Sea Mar Community Health Centers • Lakewood, WA

4d • $22 - $22

About The Position

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position: Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization Duties and Responsibilities As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. Job Description Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by: Understanding and empathizing with client needs Surpassing client expectations Demonstrating a high level of integrity Exhibiting compassion and commitment Advocating for social justice Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

Requirements

• Operate in a manner that will prevent employees/patients exposure to communicable diseases through proper infection control.
• Must be able to read and write in English.
• A Dental Assistant must have the ability to effectively communicate with patients and staff both verbally and in writing.
• Have the ability to read and interpret common written materials about dentistry.
• Must be able to communicate basic mathematical figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages.
• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Dental Assistants must have completed a formal Dental Assistant program at a College, Technical Institute or equivalent. Employee with no formal training must have a minimum of 1 year work experience in a Dental Assistant position.
• Must be Registered with the Washington State Department of Health, and keep their registration updated annually. Failure to have a current Washington State Registration will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and up to Termination.
• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• Must have a TB test annually.
• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required
• Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate and provide to Dental Providers all necessary chair side assistance using four-handed dentistry technique with procedures in categories as required: Diagnostic, Preventative, Restorative, Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontic, Orthodontics and other services allowed by the Washington Dental Practice Act.
• Identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescents, and geriatric patients
• You must escort each patient to and from the treatment room.
• Greet, seat, and depart patients, being courteous and professional at all times, especially when talking to patients or discussing confidential information.
• Provide patient education and instructions to patients before, after, and during any dental procedure.
• You are responsible for communicating provider delays and delays in patient flow to the Lead Dental Assistant, the Dental provider, the patients, and the front desk staff.
• Participate in scheduling appointments arriving, and departing patients in Dentrix and registering patient in Allscripts PM.
• Have the ability to complete thorough, accurate charting in Dentrix using S.O.A.P. or P.A.R.T.S. format.
• Obtain accurate blood pressure readings and other vital signs as directed by Dental Provider.
• Maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and the sterilization areas.
• Perform the responsibilities outlined in the “Task & Duty List” (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.
• Participate in the training of new employee and/or dental trainees.
• Assist in doing inventory and the ordering of dental supplies.
• Participate in the Quality Improvement Activities of the Dental Department and of Sea Mar Community Health Centers (assigned by a lead dental assistant or the immediate supervisor).

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees