Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician, Department of Oral Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician position at Penn Dental Medicine is a key team member supporting third and fourth-year dental students, pre-clinical students, faculty, staff as well as patients. Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) has been a long-standing leader in clinical excellence due to its strong yet diverse faculty, a highly collaborative relationship with the School of Medicine, and its location within an Ivy League university and a city which is world renowned for health care education. At Penn Dental Medicine, our students are among the nation’s best, and they are matched in quality by the high level of instruction and research among our faculty. Our research encompasses all the basic and clinical sciences, and Penn’s emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship encourages collaborations across disciplines. Our clinical care brings the latest techniques and technologies to patients within our teaching clinics and faculty practice. As stewards of the neighborhood in which we reside, Penn Dental Medicine participates in a diversity of community outreach programs, serving area residents while teaching our students to practice with compassion and responsibility. The Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician position’s primary responsibilities include taking radiograph's and assisting with patient behavior support plans.

Requirements

Technical School, Certiﬁcation, or training required beyond High School
Minimum of 3 years of practical experience in a dental care facility or equivalent combination of education and experience
Passed national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam
Licensed in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist
Current CPR certiﬁcation
BLS required
Employment clearance through the State of PA to work on/with children: as deter-mined through Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI fingerprinting Database
Needs the use of both hands, dexterity in the ﬁngers and the ability to manipulate instruments, materials, dental hand pieces, and operate dental equipment
The use of feet is necessary to manipulate the rheostat for hand pieces or other dental equipment
Must be able to work from a dental stool in order to perform most dental procedures
The ability to sit and stand for duration of time is also necessary
Demonstrate competence in four-handed dentistry technique, level of knowledge & proﬁciency in use of current dental materials, instruments and equipment
Color spectrum differentiation
Manual dexterity/motor coordination
Hand-eye coordination
Physical communications
Visual acuity
Communication/language development
Comfort with treating specialized care patients including but not limited to individuals with com-plex medical concerns, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral and emotional limitations a must

Nice To Haves

Experience with AxiUm
Experience in supporting dental care delivery including: preparation of treatment rooms, setting up patient instruments and materials, passing instruments and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice

Responsibilities

Supervise students in patient preparation for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and obtaining medical history and patient vitals, and draping patient, as well as ensuring students work towards developing and creating a patient environment consistent with patient behavior support plans.
Assist with medical immobilization and/or protective stabilization as needed and outlined in patient behavior support plans.
Supervise and support students in documenting dental care services by charting in patient records.
Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
Supervises, supports and trains students proper selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth.
Assist students in obtaining diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies and pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances.
Supervises students in fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances.
Aid in chairside assistance as needed.
Educate and motivate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, presents and explains treatment plans to patients, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and schedules subsequent visits.
Aid in and provide clear instruction in the preparation of diagnostic data, digital imaging, digital intraoral & diagnostic photos, sterilization, and scanning diagnostic models.
Taking and teaching radiographic procedures to students such as full mouth series, panoramic radiographs and CBCT, and assisting with patient behavior support plans.
Help with CBCT downloads to facilitate interpretation by faculty.
Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Helps dentist(s) manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing and supporting as assigned.
Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques as needed.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
Flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition assistance for employees, your spouse, and your dependent children at Penn.
Tuition assistance for dependent children at other institutions.
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) to help you save for your future, with pre-tax or Roth basis options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year (vacations, personal affairs, illness or injury, family time).
Long-term care insurance in partnership with Genworth Financial to help cover some of the costs of long-term care services.
Wide variety of programs and resources to help balance work and personal life (Wellness and Work-life Resources).
Array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally (Professional and Personal Development).
Access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities (libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, Penn Museum, Annenberg Center, Penn Relays).
Discounts and Special Services (arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks).
Flexible work options (non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures).
Forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements (Penn Home Ownership Services).
Reimbursement for qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household (Adoption Assistance).