Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Department: Dental

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Dental Director

Hours of Work: 40, varies

Working Title: Dental Assistant

Classification: Full-time/part-time/TEMP

Pay Grade: G-04 ($23.15 - $28.94 hourly)

FTE:1.0, or less

Location: 1453 W. Temple St; On-site

Approved/Revised Date: 9/30/24

Job Summary

Incumbent is responsible for greeting visitors, scheduling appointments and delivering exceptional customer service assistance. This entails answering calls and fielding them accordingly, addressing visitor questions and needs, and providing an overall welcoming environment. This frequently includes performing ad hoc administrative duties as needed. The incumbent should be professional, friendly, extremely organized, and comfortable multi-tasking. This position will serve as the dentists' chair-side assistant and is responsible for preparing operatories and instruments, assuring patient records are accurate, and promoting disease prevention activities.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors in a professional and friendly manner, answering any questions visitors may have.
• Maintain professional appearance and functionality of the reception area as well as all common areas at all times.
• Answer and direct phone calls in a professional and friendly manner.
• Keep detailed and accurate records of visitor requests and calls received.
• Schedule, confirm, follow-up, and cancel patient appointments
• Complete Dental Charting and Treatment Planning.
• Translate dental services into proper billable codes.
• Manage office inventory and supplies.
• Assist the dentist in he administration of treatment at the chair as required or directed by the Dentist.
• Maintain sterilization and testing of equipment meeting audit requirements from HRSA.
• Handle test results including x-rays.
• Ensure proper disposal of all materials in accordance with Dental Department, as well as state and federal regulations.
• File, scan, and create documents for patients and other office needs.
• Receive deliveries; sort and distribute incoming mail.
• Complete and file insurance forms and dental billing records.
• Take inventory of supplies and restock as needed.

• Develop and maintain the general office filing system.
• Ensure records are stored securely and in compliance with HIPAA and all privacy regulations.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
• Some travel may be required to attend/participate with local functions related to the department, outside training opportunities, etc.
• Participate with outreach events and activities for the department as scheduled.
• Keep supervisor informed of any issues or concerns.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• High school diploma, or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience as a dental assistant.
• First Aid/CPR certified, ability to obtain within three (3) months of hire.
• Experience in scheduling medical/dental appointments
• Dental Assistant Diploma.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Medical Billing and Medical/Dental coding experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Trained in First Aid/CPR
• Experience working with the American Indian/Alaskan Native community.

• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, community groups, and performance-based government contracts.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledgeable of dental terminology, material, medications, and instruments.
• Knowledge of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL93-638).
• Knowledge of Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (PL 94-437).
• Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148).
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) cultures and lifestyles, and work effectively with AI/AN population.
• Effective oral and written communications skills with sensitivity to lifestyles of targeted participants.
• Skills in operating personal computer using a variety of computer software (Microsoft Office, Adobe, Microsoft Teams, Zoom).
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of client and personnel information, and comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws, as well as UAII policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.
• Ability to keep up with a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact with various people on various, and at times, complex issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Conditions of Hire

• Eligibility to work in the US.
• Fingerprint clearance.
• Pass a post-offer drug test.
• Negative TB test result (annual requirement).
• Proof of vaccination against the flu (annual requirement).
• Proof of full vaccination against COVID, including a Booster.
• Valid CA driver's license, if driving for the company and/or a requirement of the position.
• Maintain auto insurance coverage, if driving for the company.

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. UAII is a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.