Dental Assistant (Green Bank)

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:
• Prepare patient, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and assist Dentist during dental procedures.
• Carry out Dentist's orders accurately, directly, and indirectly.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the dental care administered relative to the patient/ significant other identified problem/needs.
• Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by the Dentist.
• Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
• Assist Dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
• Perform delegated independent dental assisting functions using established procedures, policies, guidelines, and standards.
• Document pertinent observation and intervention on appropriate record.
• Maintain and coordinate communication among patient/significant other, staff, and Dentist as evidenced within medical record, patient, and health care team feedback.
• Effectively communicate patients changing needs and plan of care among staff members.
• Report patient needs/problems and observations regarding patient's condition to the charge nurse/physician.
Other Duties:
• Perform selected tasks related to patient care and the patient's environment in a safe manner.
• Contribute to the development of the patient/significant other plans of care based on the identified patient problems/needs.
• Assist in assuring that effective communication exists with patient/significant other as reflected in the plan of care.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the care team in coordination of the patient's care as evidenced by other department feedback.
• Use available written materials specific to patient condition or disease.
• Utilize appropriate teaching methods such as one-on-one and group instruction, demonstration, or discussion.
• Document health teaching, including patient/significant other response to and their understanding of health teaching.
• Participate in staff development programs and staff meetings.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings and is responsible for information discussed.
• Other duties, as assigned.
Patient Satisfaction:
• Assist patients, family members, or other clients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy; and communicate with them courteously and respectfully.
• Identify yourself in a pleasant and positive manner.

Teamwork:
• Assist in the orientation/training of new Team Members.
• Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow Team Members.
• Assist other Team Members in the performance of their assignments, as needed.
• Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.
• Consider the impact of your actions on Team Members throughout the Organization.
• Recognize the need for variations in staffing and volunteer to fill open shifts when possible.
• Take direction and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless patient care.
• Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties wherever volume deems it necessary within the System.

Problem Solving:
• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
• Investigate and follow through on unusual orders or requests for service or information.
• Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur.
• Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet patient expectations.
• Take the initiative to do or redo inadequate or incomplete work, even if it is not yours.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Productivity/ Efficiency:
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.
• Minimize non-productive time and fill slow periods with activities that will enable you to prepare to meet the future needs of the System (education, organizing, housekeeping, assisting others).
• Organize job functions and work areas to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision.

Adherence to Departmental Policies:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and the ability to reference them from appropriate books and manuals.
• Comply with the System's infection control policies and procedures, including the Exposure Control Plan, which reflects OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.

Great Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid Holidays

• Extended Sick Pay (ESP)

• Medical Health Insurance and Prescription Coverage

• Basic Life Insurance for Employee and Family

• Short-Term Disability

• Long-Term Disability

• 401(k) Voluntary Contribution Plan

• Health Reimbursement Account

• Employee Elected Voluntary Coverage for Employee and Family

• Life Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Spending Account

• Discounted undergraduate & graduate rates at West Virginia Wesleyan College for employee and family

Qualifications

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
• Frequent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting, bending, and supporting patients.
• Incumbents will be exposed to viruses, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in the working environment.
• Incumbents will be required to work at any facility and be responsible for their own transportation.
• Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational needs.

Qualifications/Requirements/Skills:
• Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Speaking- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Social Perceptiveness- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Equipment Maintenance- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Oral Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Oral Comprehension- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Near Vision- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Clarity- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Education/Training/Experiences:
• Post-Secondary certificate in Dental Assisting preferred.
• One year of experience working as a Dental Assistant is preferred.