Welcoming all who need care

Job title

Dental Assistant Coordinator

Reports to

Director of Dental Services and Health Futures

Status

Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Job purpose

The Dental Assistant Coordinator is responsible for the training, supervision, and support of dental assistants to effectively manage the dental clinic. The Dental Assistant Coordinator is responsible for ensuring efficient workflows within the dental practice which results in meeting productivity goals, a high level of patient and staff satisfaction, and a high performing team.

Dental Assistant Coordinator is responsible for providing a full range of oral hygiene services and education to Heartland Community Health Center patient panel. The Dental Assistants will report directly to the Dental Assistant Coordinator and under direct supervision of the staff dentist on site.

Duties and responsibilities

• Participate in the implementation of programs and services that supports an integrated, patient-centered model of care for patients
• Ensure compliance and safety with regulations and standards including Kansas Dental Board, HRSA, OSHA etc
• Assisting with staff recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies
• Coordinate the maintenance of dental equipment, per manufacturer guidelines, in-clinic and mobile equipment, including record keeping.
• Maintains sterilization log for dental sterilizers.
• Coordinate schedules and collaborate with Healthy Futures Coordinator for outreach programming.
• Assist with the management of dental clinical operations (i.e., timely returned patient calls, morning huddles, monthly dental trainings, etc.)
• Oversee blocking and templating of provider and resource schedules for dental program; includes dental assistant schedules.
• Coordinate and review the ordering of dental clinic supplies as appropriate for dental program
• Responsible for maintaining radiation detection devices, display of Nomad and licensure certificates at all locations.
• Maintain PPE supply for dental department.
• Assist with scheduling and rescheduling dental patients as needed
• Participate in performance evaluation, merit increases and disciplinary actions for supervised staff; approve paysheets and PTO for designated staff
• Provide EMR training to dental assistants (i.e. scanning in eCW)

• Continue to assist chairside when needed as a Dental Assistant:

Check patients in for dental visits:

• Assist dentists and/or dental hygienists in daily clinical and operational activities including but not limited to:
  • use four-handed practices at chair side

  • provide proper instruments during procedure to the dentist

• make chart entries under the direction of the dentist or dental hygienist

• Prepare patients for procedures and ensure that appropriate instructions and equipment are arranged and ready

• Maintain a clean oral working area prior to, during and post exams/procedures
• Provide Patient education on techniques of flossing, brushing, overall oral health, and the role of the dental care team
• Clean and sterilize instruments appropriately

• Perform other duties as assigned by Chief Dental Officer

Skills Required:

• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy rules and regulations
• Enthusiasm for working as a member of a team in a rapidly changing environment
• Willingness to educate patients and the community in oral healthcare and the role of the dental care team
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize them to provide appropriate, efficient, and quality patient care
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to interact with unsatisfied patients and coworkers effectively and respectfully
• Ability to work well with children, elderly, and special needs patients
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to anticipate and react calmly in emergency situations
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, coworkers, and the public
• Ability to evaluate statistics and data and make appropriate recommendations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to accurately document procedures in electronic record
• Must be able to document in a neat, legible manner and be able to spell dental terminology correctly and use proficient grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Ability to follow written policies and procedures
• Effective and efficient time management
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and use good judgment
• Able to communicate with others to effectively convey information
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Knowledge of standard office machines including copier, fax, multi-line phones, printers, scanners, etc.
• BLS Certification

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required
• Two plus years of experience working as a dental assistant
• Any combination of education and work experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying
• Knowledge of dental procedures and terminology
• Spanish Bilingual preferred, but not required
• Graduation from a dental assisting program (preferred but not required)
• Preferred nitrous oxide training and/or certification
• Must have and maintain BLS certification
• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse participant and employee base

• High energy, positive, ability to work autonomously, flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and high degree of initiative
• Agrees to uphold Heartland’s guiding values of Compassion, Respect, Collaboration, and Integrity

• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job
• Performs assigned clinic housekeeping

• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse participant- and employee-base

• Disinfects operatories and patient seating between patients
• Always observes universal precautions
• Arrives to work on time
• Attire is clean and neat
• Maintains good personal hygiene
• Driving and maintaining company vehicle

Details

• Hours M – F from 7:30 am – 5 pm as needed. (approx. 40 hours per week)

Hours are approximate and may be altered by supervisor(s) as needed.