Dental Assistant II

At Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, we welcome diversity; we encourage, uplift, and are honored to serve people who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. Our mission is to provide high-quality, culturally appropriate healthcare to low-income residents of Washington and Yamhill Counties, with a special emphasis on seasonal and migrant farm workers and others with barriers to receiving healthcare. We strive to provide an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we employ and serve.

If you are unsure whether you meet all of the required qualifications for this role but are interested and passionate about this potential position, we encourage you to apply.

Job Summary: The Dental Assistant II works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and performs delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising provider's scope of practice consistent with the DA II education, training program, and demonstrated competency. This role assists the dental provider in all aspects of patient care. Travel and fill in at other VG Dental sites as needed.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the dental provider in transfer of instruments utilizing approved dental assisting principles.  Assist the operator in preparation and delivery of dental materials. Perform expanded function duties as necessary and in accordance with certification.
• Layout necessary instruments for procedure.
• Expose diagnostic digital radiographs using existing dental radiography software. 
• Apply dental sealants.
• Provide supportive care for patients at all times. 
• Keep the operatory neat and clean during procedures and disinfect thoroughly before each patient arrives. 
• Keep hand pieces properly maintained. 
• Ensure that vacuum lines, unit, chair, light, instruments, and tray setups are thoroughly disinfected and properly sterilized at all times.
• Order and maintain inventory of dental supplies and provide finance with required and accurate purchase data. 
• Ensure that daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance items are completed and documented visibly in the clinic.
• Support Dental Operations Manager in coordination of clinic repairs as needed.
• Restock rooms as necessary.
• Provide evaluation of emergency patients. 
• Provide patient management for the dental department.
• Work with the Dental Clinic Operational Manager on infection control and OSHA guidelines.
• Take vital signs and review patient health history, updating as necessary.
• Ability to be flexible and be able to work on weekends on special projects. 
• Willing to support own team members to accomplish daily activities.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a professional team.
• Complete all required VG training as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Handle protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA).

HIPAA Requirements:

The Dental Assistant (EFDA/EPDA) will have access to PHI in the course of carrying out their duties.  Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated records sets to which this employee will have access include: the full dental chart, the full medical chart; all information in the practice management system, all other billing and account information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Good oral and written communication skills.

• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred.

• Knowledge of medications used in conjunction with dental treatment desired.

• Knowledge of medical record keeping and dental charting.

• Knowledge of OSHA Bloodbourne Pathogens Standards and adherence to safety rules and standards.

• Skill in operating x-ray equipment and processing film.

• Ability to keep accurate and legible records.

• Ability to work effectively with dentists, co-workers and patients.

• Proficiency with Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Ability to be culturally sensitive and to relate to people of varied racial, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Valid Oregon driver's license, reliable transportation, safe driving record and insurance coverage required.

• Ability to work with patients who have limited knowledge of dental home care and treatment.

Education and Experience Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of a dental assisting program or one (1) year of dental assistant experience preferred.
• Previous experience within a medical/dental clinic preferred.
• Must possess a valid certificate of Expanded Functions Dental Assistant or Expanded Functions Preventive Dental Assistant and a certificate of radiology proficiency issued by the Oregon State Board of Dental Examiners.
• Sealant certification within 6 months of hire (VG to provide training) desired.

Behavioral Competencies:

Accountability

• Role model VG's mission, vision, and shared values
• Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations
• If someone needs help, help them
• Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work
• Maintain strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others
• Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work
• Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients
• Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others

Customer-Focus

Teamwork

Initiative

Confidentiality

Ethical

Respect

Communication

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting: up to 75%
• Standing: 25%
• Walking: 25%
• Use of Computer: 25%
• Ability to Lift/Carry up to 30 lbs.

Working Environment/Physical Hazards:

• Work in well-lighted, ventilated environment.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens and potentially hazardous chemicals.

Immunization

Staff member must meet immunizations requirements as stated in VGMHC's immunization policy and state and federal guidelines. 

Job description represent a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required.  They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC's Mission. 

VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status or physical challenges.  The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, but also includes affirmative action in the area of placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.

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