OPS DENTAL ASSISTANT - 64942287

State of Florida • Ocala, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position requires a highly motivated individual with strong multitasking abilities and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing referrals, scheduling clients in accordance with established clinic protocols, and conducting medical history interviews for clients to ensure complete and accurate documentation. Duties include coordinating communication with referring entities, utilizing the Eaglesoft electronic dental record system and the State health record system, and tracking referrals and pre‑authorizations to support continuity of care. The position performs data entry in compliance with Fiscal and Dental Clinic Supervisor requirements and maintains strict security and confidentiality of all patient records and computerized information. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Dental Supervisor, in coordination with dental assistants and dentists, to support the delivery of high‑quality clinical services.

Requirements

• Must have, or will have within 2 months, your Florida dental radiology certification
• Must have, or will have within 2 months, your Florida expanded duties certification
• Must have graduated from an accredited dental assisting school
• Must have, or will have within 2 months, a certification in Basic Life Support
• Six months experience in customer service
• Must be able to lift at least 10 pounds.
• All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a dental clinic (excluding internships)
• Bilingual.
• An understanding of the dental operations, understand compliance and quality requirements related to the provision of dental care services and demonstrated success working with the dentist.
• Knowledge experience with pediatric patients, sterilizing instruments, assists dentist with dental procedures, dental x-rays, instructing patients in oral hygiene instructions

Responsibilities

• Reviewing referrals, scheduling clients in accordance with established clinic protocols, and conducting medical history interviews for clients to ensure complete and accurate documentation.
• Coordinating communication with referring entities, utilizing the Eaglesoft electronic dental record system and the State health record system, and tracking referrals and pre‑authorizations to support continuity of care.
• Performing data entry in compliance with Fiscal and Dental Clinic Supervisor requirements and maintaining strict security and confidentiality of all patient records and computerized information.
• Expanded duties, and Restorative Functions as licensed by the board of Professional Regulations for Certified Dental Assistant.
• Polishing clinical crowns of teeth.
• Applying topical fluoride gels and varnish.
• Placing temporary restorations.
• Placing sealants.
• Removing sutures.
• Fabricating temporary crowns, packing cord, and cementing temporary crowns.
• Restorative functions as licensed by the Board of Professional Regulations.
• Placing matrix bands, wedges, retraction cord, to prepare for restorations.
• Placing restorations.
• Fitting and shaping stainless steel crowns for dentist to cement.
• Reviewing medical history with the patient/guardian and taking blood pressure as indicated by clinic policy.
• Completing the signs and symptoms (S) and objective data (O) of the SOAP notes and writing up in computer notes.
• Utilizing proper barrier techniques as per OSHA guidelines.
• Utilizing proper barrier techniques including chin length face shield.
• Passing instruments while correctly retracting tongue and/or cheek; all while suctioning.
• Coordinating assisting methods, activities and actions with actions of the dentist.
• Adjusting equipment and light source as needed by the dentist.
• Mixing restorative materials and cements.
• Performing other duties as required by the dentist or clinic supervisor.
• Being prepared for a medical emergency in the dental clinic, alerting the dentist in the clinic, calling 911, alerting the dental clinic supervisor and completing necessary paperwork.
• Obtaining the necessary emergency equipment and supplies as directed by the dentist and providing the assistance necessary in an emergency and in the emergency drills. Performing CPR if necessary.
• Ensuring instruments and equipment are out and in place ready before the patient arrives.
• Maintaining adequate inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Generating supplies and equipment requests as needed.
• Maintaining Radiographic Certification as licensed by the Board of Professional Regulations.
• Properly utilizing ScanX phosphoretic plates and the Eaglesoft software.
• Understanding and following Florida Board of Dentistry and DOH standards.
• Properly cleaning and sterilizing instruments following Florida Board of Dentistry and DOH standards.
• Utilizing proper barrier techniques during cleaning and sterilizing.
• Cleaning and disinfecting counters and environmental surfaces following dental clinic procedures.
• Testing autoclave with biological indicators and keeping a log of results.
• Cleaning autoclave as assigned.
• Removing trash and replacing liners in cans as necessary.
• Cleaning chair suction traps and suction tubing, and central trap as directed.
• Disposing of biomedical waste in red bags and sharps as per Florida Board of Dentistry and DOH standards.
• Ensuring sterilization/bioindicator testing/biomaterial/water testing/safety/ and all other logs are properly completed according to Florida Board of Dentistry and DOH standards.
• Understanding materials and using dental materials per FL DOH and manufacturer guidelines.
• Maintaining an organized well-maintained storage area both for bulk storage and in the individual carts/rooms, with the lot number.
• Maintaining an inventory so that the proper number of supplies are ordered to maximize the effective date and ordered at the proper Threshold so that items do not run out.
• Monitoring inventory levels of all clinical supplies and reordering as needed through MFMP.
• Receiving orders and confirming inventory, validating and signing packing slips and submitting to the finance office within 1 day.
• Properly handling and disposing of all dental materials including sharps.
• Checking the eye wash stations once per month and maintaining a log with results.
• Properly maintaining emergency kit/equipment and keeping a log with results.
• Keeping lab area clean and organized.
• Pouring models, polishing acrylic lab work under the direct supervision of the dentist.
• Observing proper infection control procedures in the lab and sterilization areas.
• Completing lab prescriptions and alerting the front desk staff of a pending lab case.
• Demonstrating the use of dental materials and/or techniques to dental assisting students or dental students at the discretion of the dental supervisor and under their supervision.
• Giving health fairs or school presentations as directed.
• Performing expanded duty functions and assisting with head start school-based program and assisting with the school based program in local schools.
• Confirming appointments.
• Providing appointment reminders, school excuses/work excuses.
• Completing dental encounter forms and helping with tallying them for processing end of day report and for fiscal.
• Completing referrals and medical consults, and alerting the front desk staff to finish the referral, add to the referral log and follow up on them as needed.
• Completing assigned computer tasks.
• Completing training as directed.
• Completing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree