UNIV - Dental Assistant IV, Orthodontics Dental Faculty Practice - College of Dental Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

7d•$46,818 - $79,560

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Division Chief and direction of College of Dental Medicine providers, the Dental Assistant IV provides clinical assistance and support to multi-specialty faculty providers in all aspects of patient care within the College of Dental Medicine clinics. The role includes chairside assistance across dental specialties, preparing and maintaining operatories, assisting with radiographs and imaging, supporting patients before and after procedures, and maintaining clinic supplies and records. The position also assists other clinics and performs related duties as directed by the clinic manager or supervisor.

Requirements

High school diploma and completion of formal training in an ADA-accredited dental assisting course, plus one year of dental assisting experience; alternatively, a high school diploma and three continuous years of dental assisting experience.
Certification in Radiation Safety for positions responsible for dental X-rays.
Computer literacy.
Ability to work rotating shifts and overtime as required.
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools, and equipment as required.
Ability to work while standing continuously, walking frequently, and sitting infrequently; work indoors continuously and in confined or cramped spaces frequently.
Ability to climb stairs, work from elevated areas, kneel, squat, and perform pinching operations infrequently; bend and twist at the waist frequently.
Ability to fully use both hands and arms and both legs, reach in all directions, maintain good finger dexterity and tactile and olfactory sensory functions, and perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted; lift or carry patients up to approximately 350 pounds with assistance; lift objects from floor level to 36 inches and lower them from 36 inches, up to 50 pounds unassisted; and push or pull objects up to approximately 350 pounds unassisted.
Ability to maintain corrected 20/40 vision, recognize objects close at hand and at a distance, discriminate between colors, judge distance and depth, and maintain good peripheral vision.
Ability to maintain hearing acuity with correction and hear and understand whispered conversations at a distance of three feet.
Ability to be physically qualified by medical personnel for respirator use initially and annually.

Responsibilities

Perform chairside assisting using four-handed dentistry techniques for faculty providers treating patients, including procedures ranging from general dentistry to advanced specialty care requiring general anesthesia management.
Update and use the Electronic Health Record as needed for patient care.
Set up operatories for dental and surgical procedures, maintaining knowledge of clinical procedures and instrumentation to ensure accurate preparation.
Break down and clean operatories after procedures; maintain and sterilize dental instruments and equipment.
Follow MUSC, CDM, and clinic infection-control policies and protocols, and comply with OSHA procedures, rules, and regulations to maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Acquire or assist in acquiring periapical, panoramic, cephalometric, and 3-D images and intraoral scans according to treatment plans or provider direction, following X-ray safety standards.
Assist with patient care, including transport to and from the waiting area and monitoring surgical patients after anesthesia to ensure their safety.
Maintain patient confidence and privacy by keeping information confidential.
Manage dental supplies and inventory by checking stock, anticipating supply needs, placing and expediting orders, and verifying deliveries.
Ensure instruments and supplies are maintained and stocked in dental operatories and other clinic areas.
Provide clinic administrative support, including maintaining the MSDS notebook, reporting equipment problems, and completing exposure and incident forms.
Assist in other clinics and perform related duties as needed or directed by the clinic manager or supervisor.