Dental Assistant III

Sea Mar Community Health Centers • Lacey, WA

13d • $24 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

To assist in the delivery of dental services to Sea Mar Community Health Center patients demonstrating excellent knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients being served. To use personal judgment, initiative, and leadership to assist in the coordination of clinic activities in regards to training and scheduling of back office staff, patient flow, and oversight of supply inventory and ordering, and equipment maintenance and inventory. Has the responsibility of assisting supervisors and management in providing exceptional customer service.

Requirements

• Operate in a manner that will prevent employees/patients exposure to communicable diseases through proper infection control.
• The Dental Assistant must have a current Washington State Dental Assisting Registration.
• In order to be eligible for the DAIII position, the employee must pass the DAIII Competency test and DAIII Clinical Evaluation.
• Must be able to communicate, read and write in English.
• Have the ability and interpret common written materials about dentistry.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients and staff both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to communicate mathematical figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages.
• Must be able to respond to common inquires or complaints from customers, insurance agencies, or other members of the health profession.
• Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Have completed a formal Dental Assistant program at a College, Technical Institute or equivalent.
• Must have 2 years working experience.
• Employees with no formal training must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a Dental Assistant position.
• All Dental Assistants must keep a current Dental Assistant Registration failure to do so 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.
• TB testing annually.
• Must maintain a current Washington State Dental Registration from the Department of Health, failure to have a current registration will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and up to termination.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate and provide to Dental Providers all necessary chair side assistance using four-handed dentistry technique (as specified in the Dental Assistant Manual) 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.
• Must be able to escort each patient to and from the treatment rooms; greet, seat, and depart patients, being courteous and professional at all times, especially when talking to patients or discussing confidential information.
• Participate in scheduling appointments arriving, and departing patients and reviewing provider schedules 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.
• Oversee/maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and sterilization areas.
• Perform the responsibilities outlined in the “Task & Duty List” (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.
• Actively participate in the Quality Improvement Activities and the adherence to Joint Commission compliance of the Dental Department and of Sea Mar Community Health Centers throughout the year (assigned by the Dental Supervisor, Regional Dental manager or Clinic Manager).
• Oversee/maintain proper records for: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), spore tests, inventory and ordering of dental supplies, maintenance of equipment, checking and maintaining of the N2O and O2 cylinders, and updating/maintaining the Emergency Kit Log.
• Be able to assist patients, both private pay and with insurance, by providing treatment plans with cost estimates and sequencing of treatment.
• Complete insurance pre-authorizations, verify patient eligibility and benefits.
• Responsible for working on specific clinical or administrative duties assigned and approved by the Dental Director or Dental Supervisor\Regional Dental Manager\Clinic Manager.
• Duties and responsibilities for this position may vary with changes occurring in the clinic activities or requirements. The supervisor\ Regional Dental Coordinator may assign temporary work in other departments or other dental sites.
• Assist Supervisor\Regional Dental Manager\Clinic Manager in scheduling of dental assistants.
• Demonstrate effective leadership skills and set a positive example when assisting the Dental Supervisor, Regional Dental Manager or Clinic Manager in implementing organization and departmental policies, and/or changes in organization and department policies, communicating well, verbally and in writing.
• Assist the Dental Supervisor and Regional Dental Manager in coordinating and training new employees, Dental Trainees and other dental assistants.
• Provide exceptional customer service by maintaining an efficient patient flow, eliminating “bottlenecks”, reducing wait times and addressing patients’ questions appropriately.
• Responsible for notifying the Dental Supervisor and Regional Dental Manager/or Clinic Manager and the Dental Director, when appropriate, of departmental performance concerns, policy violations and other feedback that may affect the operations, customer service or patient flow

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees