UNIV - Dental Assistant III - College of Dental Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

4d • $45,900 - $78,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the clinic manager/supervisor and direction of the College of Dental Medicine providers, this position provides comprehensive clinical assistance and administrative support to student providers and attendings in all areas of patient care within the CDM student clinics. Position will provide, clinical assistance and administrative support to student and resident providers and attendings. This position includes a range of responsibilities, including but not limited to Endodontics, Special Care Dentistry, Radiology and Urgent Care.

Requirements

• A high school diploma, completion of formal training in an ADA accredited dental assisting course and one year of dental assisting experience OR a high school diploma and three continuous years of dental assisting experience.
• Certification in Radiation Safety required for positions responsible for dental x-rays.
• Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Infrequent)
• Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Frequent)
• Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent)
• Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)
• Ability to work from elevated areas. (Infrequent)
• Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent)
• Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent)
• Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
• Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)
• Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent)
• Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Infrequent)
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders.
• Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous)
• Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous)
• Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous)
• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous)
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous)
• Ability to lift and carry 50# , unassisted.
• Ability to lift/carry patients to 350# (+/-), assisted.
• Ability to lift objects from floor level to height of 36 inches, to 50#, unassisted.
• Ability to lower objects, to 50#, from height of 36 inches, unassisted.
• Ability to push/pull objects to 350#(+/-), unassisted.
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous)
• Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous)
• Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous)
• Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous)
• Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous)
• Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous)
• Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous)
• Ability to hear and understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet.
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)
• Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.
• Ability to work overtime as required.
• Ability to learn and use new processes, tools, equipment as required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for setting up operatory for dental and surgical procedures. Must maintain a high level of knowledge of all clinical procedures and instrumentation to ensure rooms are set up accurately. Break down and clean operatory after procedures are complete. Maintain and sterilize all dental instruments and equipment. Follow all infection control policies and protocols set forth by MUSC, CDM and the clinic manager. Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with OSHA’s procedures, rules and regulations
• Assist and guide students as needed as they perform dental procedures. These procedures may range from general dentistry to advanced specialty care. Responsible for updating patient information in and utilizing the Electronic Health Record as needed for patient care
• Acquire or assist in acquiring all necessary radiographs (i.e. periapical, panoramic, cephalometric, and 3-D imagery, intra oral scans, etc.) while adhering to all x-ray safety standards. These images are captured according to treatment plans or at the direction of CDM Providers.
• Assist with all areas of patient care including transport/assistance to and from the waiting area as well as monitoring surgical patients to ensure their safety after receiving anesthesia. Maintain patient confidence and privacy by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains dental supplies and inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies, placing and expediting orders for supplies and verifying receipt of supplies. Ensures instruments and supplies are maintained and stocked in dental operatories and other areas of the clinic. Provides administrative support in the clinic to include maintaining MSDS notebook, reporting equipment problems and filling out exposure and incident forms.
• Contribute to the team effort by assisting in other clinics and by accomplishing related duties as needed as well as any other duties as directed by the clinic manager/supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED