Dental Assistant II (Quincy) (4528)

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine•Quincy, IL

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant II provides clinical and administrative support for the efficient delivery of quality dental care within the SIU School of Medicine Federally Qualified Health Center. The role works collaboratively with dentists, dental hygienists, students, and administrative staff to support patient care, clinical workflows, and daily operations. The position is on site only. Clinical duties include advanced four-handed chairside assisting, preparing patients and operatories, updating medical and dental histories, documenting care in the electronic dental record, and obtaining dental radiographs. The Dental Assistant II prepares and sterilizes instruments and equipment, assists with dental procedures, and performs authorized laboratory and delegated clinical tasks within applicable law, training, and supervision requirements. The role also provides dentist-approved patient education, supports dental assisting demonstrations, and coordinates laboratory services. Administrative and indirect patient care duties include scheduling appointments and follow-up care, communicating with patients, processing and routing payments, monitoring and replenishing inventory, coordinating clinic flow, and assisting with equipment maintenance requests. An out-of-state resident hired into the position must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date. Pre-employment background screening is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one of the following: six months of dental assisting work experience comparable to Dental Assistant I duties; graduation from an accredited Dental Assisting School; or current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification from the Dental Assisting National Board, if required by the employing institution.
Knowledge of dental procedures and medicine relevant to dental assisting, including four-handed dentistry.
Knowledge of English language structure and content, including vocabulary, spelling, composition, and grammar.
Computer knowledge to input data, access information, and create materials and documents using clinical software applications.
Knowledge of customer and personal service principles, including assessing customer needs, meeting service quality standards, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
Ability to perform administrative and clerical procedures, manage files and records, design forms, and manage inventory.
Active listening skills, including understanding others, asking appropriate questions, and avoiding inappropriate interruptions.
Interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to build rapport with patients and help them feel comfortable before, during, and after dental procedures.
Ability to quickly move and coordinate hands and arms to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Ability to remain continuously on task for several hours while sitting, standing, or moving.
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect when communicating with patients, peers, faculty, and staff.
Ability to communicate appropriately and positively to guide and reassure patients.
Out-of-state residents hired for the position must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date.
Must complete pre-employment background screening.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced four-handed chairside assistance and support restorative, surgical, sedation-related, and other dental procedures as directed and within authorized scope.
Prepare and seat patients; review and update medical and dental histories; obtain relevant information; and accurately document care, dental charting, and treatment entries in the electronic dental record.
Expose and process dental radiographs using appropriate radiation protection practices and applicable authorization requirements.
Maintain a clear, dry operative field using suction, retraction, and swabs.
Apply topical anesthetic and perform delegated clinical tasks only as permitted by Illinois law, training, and supervision requirements.
Prepare operatories, pre-tray setups, instruments, equipment, and dental materials before appointments and support efficient patient turnover.
Clean, disinfect, package, and sterilize instruments and equipment while maintaining aseptic conditions, standard precautions, OSHA-compliant practices, and patient privacy safeguards.
Perform authorized laboratory procedures, including taking impressions, pouring, trimming, and polishing study models, and fabricating temporary crowns or provisional restorations as permitted by law and institutional policy.
Prepare laboratory prescriptions or slips, coordinate cases with outside dental laboratories, and track materials and case returns.
Provide dentist-approved oral hygiene and post-treatment instructions, communicate compassionately with patients, and support dental hygienists as needed.
Demonstrate dental assisting techniques and clinic protocols to students or newly assigned staff as directed.
Identify equipment malfunctions and patient safety concerns and promptly report them to the dentist or supervisor.
Coordinate and schedule dental appointments, follow-up care, and patient communications with the front office.
Receive, document, and route patient payments according to established cash-handling and financial procedures.
Gather information about patient dental concerns, prioritize requests under established protocols, and refer clinical triage decisions promptly to licensed dental professionals.
Monitor inventory, stock and rotate supplies, assist with ordering and distribution, and submit or follow up on equipment maintenance work orders.
Coordinate with dentists, students, hygienists, and administrative staff to maintain clinic flow, records, and patient readiness.