Dental Asst-Expand Funct

Will perform a variety of patient care services as directed by the dentist or clinical manager, in both a clinical setting and an operating room setting. Assists the dentist as needed for patient preparation, exams, and procedures, utilizing four handed dentistry, expanded functions, taking x-rays, maintaining clinical inventory supply, and providing customer service. Performs patient registration, scheduling appointments, chart maintenance, and patient correspondence. Requires excellent skills in handling apprehensive or difficult to manage children. Requires ability to work with medically, physically, and/or mentally compromised patients. This position will maintain, organize, stock, and clean dental equipment and unit(s). Assure smooth patient flow, provide patient education and clerical support. 

 Essential Functions 

Clinical Practice Accountabilities: 

Prepares the operatory and/or operating room work area with appropriate set up for treatment as planned by the dentist. Escorts patients to designated clinical area, completes intake assessment, and assists during clinical care as directed; including the use of Expanded Function task. Assists as directed during patient care completed under general anesthesia or minimal -light sedation. Observes, documents, and communicates patient conditions with providers for initial patient assessment. Performs preliminary procedures such as: taking x-rays and reviewing the patient's health history. Preforms dental lab functions as assigned. 

Expanded Function Dentistry Accountabilities: 

Performs placement and finishing of dental restorations (such as fillings, crowns and sealants). May takes or assists in taking oral impressions for non-prosthetic oral devices. Under the direct supervision of dentist and if the incumbent is certified, will perform coronal polishing and/or application of fluoride. Uses four handed dentistry and assists dentist as directed. Uses evidence based decision process to anticipate dentist's needs in order to more efficiently assist during procedures. Sets proper restraint methods to safely stabilize uncooperative patients for/during procedures. 

Anesthesia / Sedation Accountabilities: 

Preforms airway management and observes patient physiological status during anesthesia/sedation procedures as directed by dentist. Demonstrates ability to recognize airway obstructions and/or adverse physiological changes, alerts provider to issues, assist dentist in resolving complication efficiently and promptly. Demonstrates; knowledge of procedure requirements, ability to comply with physical demands of procedure, and ability to complete all special ask/forms/procedures related to anesthesia/sedation services. 

Radiograph Accountabilities: 

Uses sensible techniques while taking/exposing, developing, and mounting dental images/radiograph images. Ensures and maintains a high quality of diagnostic imaging outcome. Helps maintain imaging equipment and demonstrates prudence of usage, ensuring safe/appropriate utilization. Responsible for ensuring the proper use of safety equipment and assistive devices, as to reduce the exposure risks to themselves and their patients. Ensures and maintain a high quality of diagnostic imaging outcome. 

Sterile Technique Accountabilities: 

Maintains regulator standards, (i.e. OSHA, Department of Health, TJC, IN Department of Health) in all work activities. Disinfection/Sterilization of clinical areas, equipment, and instruments following current infection control policy/guidelines. Stocking and maintaining adequate level of supplies in every operatory. 

Inventory Accountabilities: 

Maintains adequate dental supply levels, office inventory, and forms. Orders additional supplies when needed. Incumbent will use prudence in their use or supplies and equipment. 

Equipment Accountabilities: 

Maintains the dental area and equipment in a neat and clean manner and prepares area and equipment for each patient. Assembles instruments, equipment, materials, and medications on chair-side tray in advance of the procedure or examination. Uses prudence when operating equipment or supplies, and is responsible for following all safety instructions. 

Record Keeping Accountability: 

Accurately completes and assists dentist in maintaining chart for patient records. Accurately completes necessary documents/forms per patient visit. Posts completed procedures in EDR. Completes additional paperwork/documentation as needed for quality projects or other reports. 

Finance/Billing Accountabilities: 

Maintains awareness of assigned patient financial status and responsibilities per patient appointment. Refers individuals requiring financial assistance to appropriate team members. Ensures patients with co-pay requirements meet with the charge out desk before they are dismissed for the day. Uses prudence when suggesting/performing procedures that have an associated co-payment. Creates treatment plans, explains insurance coverage/co-pays, and obtains Medicaid Waivers as needed. 

Physical Accountabilities: 

Works mainly inside in a normal dental office environment. Able to be involved in varying degrees of prolonged standing, walking, sitting, bending, squatting, and stooping; as well as abilities of repeated bending, stooping and squatting. Able to lift, push, and/or pull equipment, light to moderately heavy weight is a necessary function of this position. Must be able to position and move patients following safety standards. Able to perform duties during periods of varied and/or prolonged work hours. Will be exposed to all patient elements. Must have good eyesight with or without correction. Must be able to read, write, hear, and communicate effectively in the English language by both orally and written. 

Knowledge and Education Accountabilities: 

Obtains and maintains current evidence based knowledge of best practice for Expanded Function Dental Assisting. Demonstrates knowledge of best practice through work habits and activates. Participates in Continuing Education courses and actives. 

Licensure / Certification Accountabilities: 

Must maintain current Basic Life Support certification and Dental Radiograph Certificate in the state of Indiana. Certifications from the Dental Assisting National Board or like agencies are encouraged. 

Quality and Safety Accountabilities: 

Capable, both physically and emotionally, of immediately and effectively responding to emergency situations. As appropriate for the respective position, the employee is responsible for participating in the development, monitoring and sustaining of a safe, highly reliable, and functional environment for all occupants of HealthNet. Incumbent contributes to safety with the following behaviors; open communication, healthy work environment, consistent work habits, and compliance with identified departmental safety measures. Works collaboratively to find ways of safeguarding patients and staff. Resolves minor complaints and issues voiced by patients and refers other situations to individuals authorized to resolve the problem. 

Team Contribution Accountabilities: 

Community oriented, willing to participate in department activities/meetings, and have a genuine commitment to working with patients/families. Responsible for being a "culture champion" by participating in, developing, monitoring, and sustaining the philosophy and vision of the HealthNet organization. Attends mandatory staff meetings and in-services training session. 

Excellence Orientation: 

Takes actions to continually improve quality and safety in daily work. Actively participates in improving work processes to meet and exceed customer requirements. Identifies opportunities for improvement based on process observation, outcome measures, and feedback from patients and other customers. Reports errors in a timely and appropriate manner. Takes initiative and is accountable for areas of responsibility meeting regulatory requirements including but not limited to maintaining annual TB testing, completing annual mandatory, and maintaining current registration/certification/licensures as appropriate to position requirements. 

The preceding essential function statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of tasks and functions for this position. Job descriptions provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents. Other tasks and functions may be assigned as needed to fulfill the mission of the organization. 

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

Requires High School Diploma and experience or formal training as a dental assistant. 

Requires knowledge of dental procedures and terminology. 

Requires ability to perform expanded function dental assisting tasks. 

Requires excellent skills in handling apprehensive or difficult to manage children who are present for dental care. 

Requires X-ray certification, CPR/BLS certification, detailed knowledge of different instruments, and knowledge of material requirements for each procedure. 

Requires ability to operate microcomputers and utilize electronic medical/dental record systems. 

Requires the ability to read, write, hear, and communicate effectively in the English language by both oral and written. 

Requires ability to work with medically, physically, and/or mentally compromised patients. 

Requires ability to work in operating room setting and to pass credentialing process. 

Requires knowledge of proper emergency procedures and the ability to perform necessary emergency tasks. 

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE: 

The Dental Assistant Expanded Function will receive annual performance evaluations that rate job performance in accordance with HealthNet vision, mission, policies and procedures. The evaluations may include, but not be limited to, performance of many of the specific skills and abilities noted above. The Dental Assistant Expanded Function is expected to present an exemplary professional image; maintain a positive attitude toward work and HealthNet; display a willingness to accept and complete assigned job responsibilities and duties; demonstrate the ability to independently exercise judgment, supervise staff if applicable, and complete all phases of assigned tasks or projects; and serve as a positive role model for other HealthNet staff. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: 

HealthNet is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.