Dental Assistant - School-based

Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) · United States

Community Health Center of Snohomish County offers competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package designed to address health, time off, retirement and career-advancement needs. Benefits available include health insurance (medical/dental/vision), up to 120 hours of vacation time pro-rated by FTE every 12 months, paid sick leave, 10-paid holidays, 403(b) Safe Harbor retirement plan with employer match, disability and life insurance, and more! We also offer $0.75/hour for those who test proficiently in a second language. The Dental Assistant – School-based operates as an effective team member with dental clinic care providers and other front and back-office support staff to provide quality dental treatment support, four-handed dentistry, oral health education, instrument repair and sterilization, facilities and equipment maintenance, and supply inventory and purchasing in accordance with agency standards in CHC Dental Clinics. The Dental Assistant also provides support in non-traditional locations, such as schools, and with portable dental equipment. The position requires travel between community partner sites and Community Health Center clinics, flexible shifts, and the potential for evening and weekend events. Additionally, this position is required to float between sites during school holidays and non-student days.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Flexibility to work in a non-traditional dental setting with portable dental equipment.
• Reads, speaks, understands and writes proficiently in English.
• Works independently and is self-directed.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and coordinates multiple activities and tasks.
• Works with initiative, energy and effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solves with creativity and ingenuity.
• Remains calm and effective in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Knowledge of dental terminology.
• Use of multi-line telephones and other office machines
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel and Outlook.

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Graduate of a Dental Assisting program, or a foreign trained dentist working a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a dental assistant, or a Dental Assistant having worked no less than 500 hours of patient care time within the past 12 months while having received verifiable on-the-job training in a dental practice.

• Dental Assistant registration with the State of Washington
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR/AED) certification.

• Customer service-related experience working with the general public (1 year).
• Dental assistant experience (1 year).

• Experience in a multiple provider dental practice.
• Digital imaging familiarity.
• CDT-5 coding experience.
• Healthcare information systems, such as electronic health record and practice management systems experience.
• Working with low income, multi-ethnic populations and patients of all ages.
• Familiarity with federally qualified health center or FQHC “look alikes.”

• Dental Assistant registration with the State of Washington
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR/AED) certification.

• Driver's license with the State of Washington.
• Motor vehicle insurance liability policy, a certificate of deposit, or a liability bond to the required limits.
• Acceptable driving record, for auto liability coverage through Community Health Center of Snohomish County.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Verified immunity to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and varicella (chickenpox). Immunity may be demonstrated through vaccination records or titer results.

1. Effectively working with school-age children around their healthcare needs.
2. Ability to work with portable equipment and in non-traditional locations, such as schools, including safely operating a CHC vehicle to transport equipment and instruments to and from assigned work sites.
3. Ability to maintain relationships with community partners.
4. Greets patients, interpreters and visitors, in person and by phone, in a prompt, courteous and helpful manner, to respond to inquiries, take messages, and provide accurate information regarding schedules and services.
5. Assists patients in completing all necessary forms, including but not limited to sorting consent forms, verifying insurance, and completing patient check-in; verifies documentation for completeness, provides pre- and post-operative instructions, answers questions or refers them to the dentist as appropriate, and ensures completion of required pre-authorizations.
6. Works in tandem with the reception staff in managing interpretive services.
7. Assists the Dentists in determining dental problems and offering oral health education.
8. Assists Dentists with timely delivery of accurate and complete fee slips to receptionist for every patient encounter.
9. Monitors schedules and patient arrivals, participates in sequencing patients, and provides assistance to co-workers to maintain a smooth and efficient patient flow for entire clinic for maximum productivity.
10. Performs competently and independently all dental treatment procedures in use at CHC and allowable by Dental Assistants under Washington State Law.
11. Performs radiographic surveys as prescribed by the Dentists for diagnostic purposes (expose, develop, mount and label films.
12. Assists the Dentists chairside in providing dental care for patients utilizing efficient four handed dentistry techniques of instrument exchange, oral evacuation, tissue retraction, and materials preparation.
13. Opens and closes operatories and keeps operatories fully stocked, organized, and safe. Reprocess operatories and instruments following each patient encounter with promptness and efficiency. Prepare appropriate instruments and materials for each treatment procedure.
14. Maintains current knowledge of dental materials, dental procedures, oral hygiene procedures, sterilization/disinfection procedures and mobile equipment in use at CHC.
15. Follows established inventory management and supply monitoring protocols to maintain appropriate stock levels and promptly notifies the Dental Assistant Lead – School-Based of supply needs in accordance with established purchasing procedures.
16. Follows established protocols for routine cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance and repair of instruments and equipment.
17. Performs the duties of a Dental Receptionist, as needed, and assists with other departments when called upon.
18. Collaborates with internal staff to coordinate clinic and outreach schedules and coverage.
19. Adheres to organizational infection control practices and written plan.
20. Adheres to attendance standards in order to perform the job functions for daily operations and/or continuity of patient care.