Dental Assistant

Zufall Health Center•West Orange, NJ

24d

About The Position

The Dental Assistant supports dentists and dental hygienists in providing primary care dental services to patients of the Zufall Health Center (ZHC). The role reports to the site manager and, where applicable, the Assistant Site Manager, with clinical oversight from the SVP of Dental Services, SVP of Nursing, and Chief Medical Officer. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilizing, preparing, and maintaining inventory of instruments and supplies. Duties include chair-side assistance, preparing operatories, supporting patients, taking and developing dental radiographs, and performing delegated procedures in accordance with applicable laws and ZHC protocols. The role maintains dental equipment and work areas, follows infection-control and safety requirements, monitors supplies and patient flow, and helps ensure patient records are accurately completed and filed. The Dental Assistant also supports clinical and administrative functions, makes work-related calls, participates in health promotion activities, and may travel between sites as required. The position requires knowledge of general dental assisting procedures and materials, effective communication in English and Spanish, and the ability to work collaboratively and empathetically with patients and health care professionals from diverse backgrounds. The work may involve stressful conditions, irregular hours, exposure to communicable diseases and other clinical hazards, and prolonged sitting or standing with repetitive movements associated with dental assisting. A high school diploma or GED, current CPR (BLS), and a valid New Jersey radiology license are required. Certified or Registered Dental Assistant credentials are preferred. Compensation is $21.00–$27.82 per hour.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of dental assisting techniques and procedures for all phases of general dentistry.
Knowledge of modern dental materials, including their storage, handling, and applications.
Ability to attend to multiple tasks and prioritize assignments and responsibilities to meet deadlines and follow protocols.
Ability to work collaboratively with health care professionals from a variety of disciplines.
Effective oral and written communication skills in English.
Effective oral communication skills in Spanish; fluency in both English and Spanish is required.
Ability to respond empathetically and professionally to dental patients’ expectations and concerns.
Ability to work with people from diverse social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
Ability to work under stressful conditions; irregular hours may be required.
Ability to distinguish between letters and symbols and use telephones, computer terminals, and copiers.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, typing, and electronic medical records.
High school diploma or GED certificate.
Current CPR (BLS) certification.
Valid New Jersey radiology license.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an accredited dental assisting course.
Certified Dental Assistant credential.
Registered Dental Assistant credential.

Responsibilities

Serve as the dentist’s or dental hygienist’s chair-side assistant.
Prepare operatories for patient treatment according to ZHC protocols and clinicians’ directions.
Assist patients with minor difficulties, answer questions, and provide directions as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist.
Expose and develop dental radiographs in accordance with state law, regulations, and ZHC protocols.
Perform procedures delegated and directed by the dentist, within applicable regulations and ZHC protocols.
Maintain dental equipment according to manufacturer instructions and Dental Department policies and protocols.
Maintain Dental Department areas in compliance with infection-control, blood-borne pathogen, exposure-control, and safety requirements.
Maintain materials and equipment and ensure clinical supplies and equipment are sterile according to applicable standards and ZHC policies.
Monitor operatory supplies, identify shortages, and provide item lists for inventory control and ordering.
Maintain a list of Dental Department patients, monitor patient flow, and help ensure patient records and documents are completed and filed accurately.
Receive and place work-related telephone calls concerning professional matters, clinic business, and patient care.
Assist with clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate.
Dispose of contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with department directives, ZHC policies, and applicable regulations.
Comply with the ZHC and Dental Department Blood Borne Pathogens Exposure Control plan, including use of personal protective equipment and universal precautions.
Participate in health promotion and disease prevention activities on-site and off-site as required.
Travel between sites when required to meet ZHC needs.
Perform other related tasks as directed by a supervisor to support organizational and programmatic goals.
Maintain personal compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and ZHC rules, protocols, and procedures, including workplace safety, public health, and HIPAA confidentiality requirements.
Conduct routine testing of dental units.
Provide appropriate auxiliary staff coverage when staff are absent, including lunch and late coverage.
Demonstrate and teach new staff, students, interns, and volunteers equipment use and dental protocols related to patient care.
Work in patient intake areas as needed.
Learn and apply trauma-informed care principles within the scope of the position.
Perform other duties as assigned.