Dental Assistant

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC is seeking a Dental Assistant to join their Advanced Specialty team. This department handles a fast-paced workload and collaborates with various disciplines including Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, and Urgent Care. The role involves providing both administrative and skilled chair-side assisting services for patients during dental treatment procedures for clinical faculty, doctoral dental students, and post-doctoral students. The Dental Assistant will work independently with moderate technical guidance.

Requirements

• High school or equivalent
• Specialized/technical training
• Dental Assisting diploma certificate
• Coronal polishing certificate
• Radiation Safety certificate
• BLS/CPR
• Completed board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act
• Completed board-approved 8-hour course in Infection Control
• <1 year 0 - 6 months experience
• Demonstrable working knowledge of HIPAA compliance, and dental terminology.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal patient service skills and the ability to multitask.
• Strong working knowledge of proper sterilization and instrument management techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's Degree
• Working knowledge of dental management systems, preferably axiUm.
• Bilingual skills in (Spanish and English) verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in a variety of dental disciplines.
• Three months to one year of chair-side experience in a dental environment or private practice in at least one recognized dental discipline (e.g., general/prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics).

Responsibilities

• Prepares treatment/clinical area for patient care.
• Organizes and prepares trays, sets up for dental procedures, and maintains adequate supply levels in each operatory.
• Preps patients and assists with dental procedures.
• Prepares and mixes materials.
• Obtains vital signs and monitors patients for complications.
• Cleans up following procedure, disposes of waste, disinfects area after each patient, and sets up for next patient in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintains inventory of disposable materials, medications, dental instruments, equipment, and supplies in the dental operatory and those required for daily operation.
• Organizes supplies and equipment to minimize loss and maximize utilization.
• Performs regular audits to ensure the removal of expired materials.
• Maintains a clean and orderly clinic.
• Sterilizes and disinfects instruments and equipment in accordance with established procedures.
• Demonstrates and complies with the personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements including infection control and safety standards set forth by the department.
• Prepares materials for making impressions and restorations.
• Exposes and processes digital radiography and traditional x-rays.
• Practices radiation safety at all times when using dental radiographs generators.
• Assists with patient registration, appointment scheduling, billing, filing, scanning, and other administrative support duties.
• Obtains dental history and records from patients and ensures health history is recorded and current.
• Provides patient education and treatment planning information as directed by attending faculty providers, or by students.

Benefits

• The Trojan Family Rewards program
• Wide variety of benefits and programs that support staff and their families

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees