Dental Assistant

Overview
This position is responsible for assisting the dentists during the examination and treatment of patients, answering phones, scheduling appointments
Responsibilities
Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Review patient schedule and correlating charts one day prior to ensure readiness for treatment.
• Opens office and operatories by turning on all computers, setting up sterilization for the day, and ensuring rooms are ready for the first treatment.
• Obtains and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of the patient and communicates this information to the doctor.
• Obtains dental radiographs and cone beam scans on patients and reports findings to the doctor.
• Provide a high level of patient experience through communicating comfort options, patient education, and treatment expectations.
• Assists dentists in the management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Provides post-operative instructions prescribed by the dentist.
• Maintains clinical notes for patients documenting pertinent information in the patient charts.
• Generates consult and post-operative reports to be sent to referring dentist.
• Collaborates with front and back office to ensure dentists' schedules run smoothly and efficiently in addition to communicating treatment plan with Front Desk team.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and procedures.
• Properly closes out operatories at the end of shift to assure operatories are clean and restocked and patient ready.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipates needed supplies, and communicates the need to the Manager.
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA.
• Assists with daily office cleaning responsibilities.

Please note that additional responsibilities may be assigned.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION:
High school diploma; RDA/CDA Certification
EXPERIENCE
Must have 4 years of dental assisting experience; preferably in endodontics
Skilled in taking radiographs and CBCT
Bi-lingual would be beneficial but not a requirement
COMPETENCIES:
To perform the job satisfactorily, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Technical Skills - Assesses own strength and weaknesses; pursues training development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional patient situations; responds promptly to patient's needs respectfully and calmly
• Interpersonal Skills - Maintains confidentiality of practice and co-workers; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things
• Oral Communications - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; able to read and interpret written information
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values, understands the importance of being part of a team.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats co-workers with respect and consideration; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work to ensure quality
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events, able to multi-task when needed
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time