Dental Assistant

Henry J Austin Health Center•Trenton, NJ

52d

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: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 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 is the minimum level of education required
Current CPR (BLS) required
Current NJ Radiological License required
Ambulatory Surgery Technician Certification required
High energy level, comfortable performing multifaceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities
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 using the English language to convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the telephone
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Sterilization of instruments
Operatory preparation
Seating Patients
Taking Digital Images
Maintaining Supplies
Equipment Maintenance
Greeting patients
Performing Receptionist duties
Clerical functions including data entry (Athena & Dentrix), record-keeping, appointment scheduling, collecting patient fees and other general office duties
Coordinating scheduling of patient appointments
Calling patients to remind them of appointments
Following up with no show patients to reschedule appointments
Receiving, sorting, and distributing incoming correspondence
Maintaining health record indexes, storage, recall, and retrieval systems, including Athena, Dentrix & MiPACS
Inputting data into various computer programs
Maintaining essential dental records and files
Scanning documents into charts
Maintaining log books
Preparing and assisting on departmental projects, form completions, and reports
Assuming other duties as assigned by the Dental Director
Demonstrating 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
Being accessible and approachable
Having respectful interactions with colleagues
Identifying opportunities to improve processes and become part of the solution
Being a good colleague and team member using the core values of transparency, civility, and respect
Performing other duties and assuming other responsibilities as apparent and/or as assigned by Dental Director