POSITION SUMMARY
Under the immediate supervision of the Dental Manager, the Dental Assistant has responsibility for providing chair side assistance to dentists, taking x-rays, preparing instruments and patients for examinations and treatment.
In the absence of the Dental Manager, the DA reports to the Clinic Manager.
The DA is a journey level position and provides para-professional dental care to clinic patients and performs all related duties as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assists dentists by preparing and arranging dental instruments, equipment, and medication; prepares local anesthetic syringes for the dentist.
- Prepares patients for treatment and examination.
- Performs post-operative cleanup; cleans and sterilizes instruments.
- Obtains dental x-rays and performs basic operating room procedures necessary in oral surgery.
- Mixes impression materials and performs accurate measurement, temperature, set-up time and proper application of materials used to make facial and dental impressions.
- Maintains dental records of patients as well as a variety of office records and special forms used in dental treatment.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with patients, professionals, medical, administrative, and clerical support staff, as well as representatives from other Tribal departments and community resources groups.
- Provides patient education and instruction in proper practices of dental hygiene.
- Maintains, monitors, and restocks dental supplies and equipment between examinations.
- Schedules patient appointments.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High School diploma or GED is required.
- Graduation from an accredited Dental Assistant Program is required.
- Two or more years of dental assistant experience is required.
- Possession of a valid certificate of examination for Coronal Polishing issued by the California State Board of Dental Examiners may be required.
- Possession of a valid certificate of examination for Radiation Safety issued by the California State Board of Dental Examiners is required.
- Valid certificate of examination for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required.
- Hepatitis B vaccine or documentation of refusal is required.
- Valid California Driver’s License is required.
- Must have knowledge of dental hygiene and dental assistant procedures, principles and methods of sterilization, and proper care and use of dental instruments equipment and materials.
- Knowledge and understanding of medical and dental terms and prescription abbreviations needed to interpret patients’ charts and dentists’ instructions.
- Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written directions.
- Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
- Must be able to recognize common dental problems and establish treatment priorities.
- Must maintain sensitivity and objectivity to chronic medical and social problems, especially those specific to the Native American community.
- Post job offer: CPR/BLS certification, TB test, and annual flu shot (during flu season) are required as a condition of employment, unless a medical/religious accommodation request is provided. Hepatitis B Vaccine will be offered at no cost to employees, but it is not required.
NATIVE PREFERENCE
Preference in hiring is given to either the most qualified applicant or a Native American candidate who meets the minimum qualifications. When two (2) or more Native American candidates have comparable qualifications, the following order of preference shall apply: (1) Members of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (2) Spouses or domestic partners (certified through Tribal Court) of members of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (3) Parents of children of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (4) All other documented Native Americans; (5) All other applicants in accordance with Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473. Applicants claiming Native preference must submit verification of Indian eligibility.
st submit verification of Indian eligibility.
