Lead Dental Assistant

Community Health Center of Franklin County Inc • Greenfield, MA

33d • $25 - $33 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Dental Assistant performs all functions of a Dental Assistant, with additional supervisory functions and responsibility for infection control protocols and sterilization procedures.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Completion of an accredited Dental assisting program or equivalent Dental assisting experience required.
• Board Certification through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health required.
• Must be certified to expose Radiographs in Massachusetts.
• Minimum of 3-5 years as a Dental Assistant required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to reliably report to work as scheduled.
• Must be able to travel between CHCFC locations and other work-related sites as required.
• Strong Leadership skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and sensitivity to low-income populations.
• Highly Organized and able to prioritize responsibilities and duties effectively and efficiently with little supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Previous leadership experience in a dental setting, including responsibility for infection control programs, staff training, or coordination of dental assistant operations, strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists Dentist in providing quality dental care in all venues through which agency personnel provide dental care.
• Perform charting, update medical history, document Blood Pressure, pulse, chief complaint, etc.
• Document treatment planning, referrals, SBIRT screening, chart flags, and quality measures.
• Request Prior authorizations on specific procedures, contact PCP or surgeon for Medical clearance protocol.
• Follow protocols for blood pressure, pre-medication, nitroglycerin and inhalers.
• Seat and dismiss patients and set up operatory for procedures.
• Assist with procedure development in the dental department.
• Adhere to strict infection control standards including use of barriers, disinfectants, and PPE.
• Provide four handed assisting to the dentist during procedures.
• Follow safe transport of instruments to sterilization area.
• Use of proper PPE in both the operatory and sterilization area.
• Follow procedures for proper sterilization of dental equipment according to manufacturer’s IFU.
• Maintain records for sterilization spore testing.
• Perform clinical procedures as delegated by dentist.
• Provide patient instruction and demonstrate when necessary, as delegated by dentist.
• Schedule all unscheduled patient appointments for reception to schedule next appointment.
• Maintain current CPR certification.
• Serve as the clinical and operational resource for the Dental Assistant team, ensuring consistency in workflows, adherence to infection control standards, and delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and accountable work environment by coaching Dental Assistants, addressing day-to-day performance concerns, and collaborating with the Dental Practice Manager to support employee development and team performance.
• Supervise Dental Assistant work group activities to provide a consistent patient experience.
• Provide annual and periodic performance evaluations for Dental Assistants.
• Staff schedule coordination, to include fielding call-outs and solving coverage issues.
• Coordinate infection control program, maintaining responsibility for meeting all DPH and CDC Infection Control Guidelines and monitoring Dental Assistant performance in Infection Control.
• Continued education on infection control standards, and receptive to attend Infection Control conferences/conventions as recommended by department manager(s).
• Monitor equipment maintenance activities and ensure completeness of all maintenance logs and records.
• Perform Quarterly water testing of all water unit lines.
• Establish and maintain proper protocol for water testing.
• Facilitate training of current Dental Assistants and orientation and training of new Dental Assistants including infection control standards.
• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly Dental Assistant team meetings.
• Keep emergency boxes updated with emergency medications, keep a log of expiration dates, and re-order when necessary.
• Manage supply inventory, and perform routine supply ordering.
• Verify supply shipment prior to submitting packing list to Dental Practice Manager.
• Coordinate vendor activities; to include supply vendors, garment vendors and repair/maintenance vendors.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Dental Director or Dental Practice Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED