Dental Assistant

Henry J Austin Health Center•Trenton, NJ

89d•$44,100 - $60,800•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of a Dental Director, the Dental Assistant works directly with the dentist to insure that proper patient care can be delivered in a timely fashion. The duties of an assistant include but are not limited to: Sterilization: make sure instruments used for dental procedures are washed first, then placed in the ultrasonic for the proper time, dried, tagged and then autoclaved. After the cycle instruments are properly stored. Operatory preparation: keep each operatory ready for patient use. Readiness includes properly spraying and wiping down of dental chair after each use. Chairs must be wrapped and universal precautions taken as per OSHA guidelines. Operatories must be stocked daily and supplies must be monitored for deficiencies. After each patient exits the operatory, the room must be broken down and soiled instruments taken to the lab for sterilization. Seating Patients: to greet and seat patients in the proper operatory for the doctors. Use the 2 Identifiers to ensure that the correct patient has been seated. Charts must be checked for up to date medical histories and for what dental procedure the patient is scheduled. The operatory is then set up. Digital Images: take the necessary Panorex, Periapicals & Bitewings of patients. These x-rays must be diagnostic and properly mounted for the doctors to review. Supplies: keep abreast of supplies used and to re-order these supplies in a timely fashion so that there is never an interruption in a work day due to lack of supplies. Equipment Maintenance: properly maintain the instruments & hand pieces that are used. Also to note that large equipment are in safe and proper working order. If not, they are then to notify the Dental Director of any faulty equipment immediately. Greets all patients/clients/customers via telephone or directly in a personal and professional manner. Performs the following Receptionist duties on an as needed basis at either site as assigned: Receives patients, determines their reasons for visiting the office, provides them with the required information according to procedures and sees that, as far as is possible, the desired objectives are achieved. Provides support to clinical operations by performing clerical functions including, but not limited to data entry (Athena & Dentrix), record-keeping, appointment scheduling, collecting patient fees and other general office duties as assigned. Coordinates scheduling of patient appointments directly or via telephone in a manner which assures efficient utilization of clinical resources. Calls patients at least the day before their appointment to remind patient. Follow up with no show patients to reschedule appointments. Receives, sorts, and distributes incoming correspondence as needed. Performs varied clerical duties as needed. Assists in maintaining and utilizing a variety of health record indexes, storage, recall, and retrieval systems, including Athena, Dentrix & MiPACS. In-puts data into various computer programs. Exhibits professional conduct with patients and fellow employees. Assists in the maintenance of essential dental records and files. Scan Approvals, Medical Consults, Medical Hx, Referrals, etc. in charts. Responsible for the maintenance of certain log books as assigned by the department manager. Prepares and assist on departmental projects, form completions, and reports. Assumes other duties as assigned by the Dental Director. Demonstrates flexibility and cooperation in relation to workplace staffing and manpower needs by rotating on a daily/emergent basis and assisting at both dental department locations as needed. This will include all receptionist duties outlined above. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Be accessible and approachable Have respectful interactions with colleagues Identifying opportunities to improve processes and become part of the solution Be a good colleague and team member using the core values of transparency, civility, and respect. Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as apparent and/or as assigned by Dental Director. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

High school diploma (minimum education level).
Current CPR (BLS) required.
Current NJ Radiological License required.
Ambulatory Surgery Technician Certification required.
Manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment.
Physical ability to kneel, bend, and perform light lifting.
Ability to write and speak clearly in English.
Ability to hear at normal speaking levels.
Specific vision abilities including close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Dental assisting school completion preferred.
Certified Dental Assistant recommended.
Registered Dental Assistant preferred.

Responsibilities

Sterilize instruments used for dental procedures.
Prepare and maintain operatory readiness for patient use, including cleaning, wrapping, and stocking.
Greet and seat patients, verify identities, and check charts for medical histories and scheduled procedures.
Take necessary digital images (Panorex, Periapicals & Bitewings) and ensure they are diagnostic and properly mounted.
Monitor and re-order dental supplies to prevent interruptions in service.
Maintain instruments, hand pieces, and large equipment, reporting any faulty equipment to the Dental Director.
Greet patients and clients professionally via telephone or in person.
Perform receptionist duties as needed, including receiving patients, providing information, and managing office visits.
Support clinical operations with clerical functions such as data entry, record-keeping, appointment scheduling, and fee collection.
Coordinate patient appointment scheduling for efficient resource utilization, including appointment reminders and rescheduling no-shows.
Receive, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence.
Perform varied clerical duties as needed.
Assist in maintaining and utilizing health record systems (Athena, Dentrix & MiPACS).
Input data into various computer programs.
Exhibit professional conduct with patients and colleagues.
Assist in maintaining dental records and files.
Scan approvals, medical consults, medical histories, referrals, etc., into charts.
Maintain assigned log books.
Prepare and assist on departmental projects, form completions, and reports.
Rotate between dental department locations and assist with receptionist duties as needed.
Be accessible, approachable, and have respectful interactions with colleagues.
Identify opportunities to improve processes and contribute to solutions.
Act as a good colleague and team member, embodying core values of transparency, civility, and respect.