What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental - Expanded Function Dental Assistant & Equipment Specialist position at Marana Health?
Marana Health is seeking a Expanded Function Dental Assistant & Equipment Specialist to join our Dental team at the Marana Main Health Center, located in the heart of Marana, AZ.
The EFDA / Equipment Specialist is a dual-role position responsible for aiding the Dentist as directed by expanded function dental assisting licensure and regulation/protocol, while overseeing routine maintenance and minor repairs of dental equipment. This role is essential in ensuring efficient clinical operations, minimizing equipment downtime, and reducing reliance on external repair vendors.
Marana Health is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC), with 11 sites in Tucson and Pima County. Our mission is to improve our community by providing exceptional, whole-person healthcare.
Required Qualifications:
- Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from an accredited institution
- 2 years’ experience as a Dental Hygienist including functioning in a supervisor role
- Current Arizona State Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license from the Arizona State Board of Dentistry (ASBD)
- Anesthesia Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Current Arizona driver’s license with clean driving record and proof of current vehicle insurance (39-month MVR will be run by MH)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimal 3 years of EFDA experience
- Experience with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience may be considered when it provides the knowledge and skills required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No supervisory responsibilities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of dental terminology, procedures, instruments, materials, and equipment.
- Knowledge of expanded function dental assisting procedures within the scope permitted by applicable Arizona regulations.
- Skill in performing expanded functions, including placement and finishing/polishing of composite restorations and cementation of prefabricated crowns.
- Ability to effectively assist dentists during a variety of dental procedures while anticipating clinical needs and maintaining efficient workflow.
- Knowledge of dental equipment operation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and basic repair procedures.
- Ability to identify equipment malfunctions, perform routine troubleshooting, and coordinate repairs with appropriate vendors or service providers.
- Ability to maintain accurate equipment maintenance, repair, and service records.
- Ability to prioritize equipment issues and respond appropriately to minimize disruption to patient care and clinical operations.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to consistently follow clinical, safety, infection control, and equipment maintenance protocols.
- Ability to communicate effectively with dental providers, staff, vendors, and other departments.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to provide guidance and technical support to dental staff regarding proper use and care of dental equipment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensures quality of care by preparing treatment area of patients, cleans, sterilizes and sets up treatment area, and accesses patient’s chart.
- Prepares patients for treatment by reviewing medical chart, greeting, seating, draping, taking blood pressure, and providing relevant information.
- Ensures efficiency of dentist by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist’s access; suctioning and passing instruments.
- Ensures readiness of materials by selecting, mixing bases/impression materials, and placing materials for use.
- Maintains patient confidence by counseling patients of dental health, requesting consent for extractions/treatment, giving post-op instructions, scheduling follow-up appointment.
- Protect patients and co-workers by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
- Maintains and monitors equipment for department operations, ensuring that autoclave is monitored by using spore testing.
- Ensure adequate stock is on hand by inventorying and ordering supplies as necessary.
- Ensures operation of dental equipment by following procedures for maintenance, evaluation and usage.
- Ensure treatment areas are adequately stocked and ready for use.
- Participate in in-service/education regarding Qualify Improvement.
- Expanded functions include the placement, contouring and finishing of direct restorations or the placement and cementation of prefabricated crowns following the preparation of the tooth by a licensed dentist. The restorative materials used shall be determined by the dentist.
- An expanded function dental assistant may place interim therapeutic restoration under the general supervision and direction of a licensed dentist following a consultation conducted through tele dentistry.
- An expanded function dental assistant may apply sealant and fluoride varnish under the general supervision and direction of a licensed dentist.
- The expanded function dental assistant laws can be found in the: Arizona Revised Statuses 32-1291.01 through the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners.
- Perform routine maintenance on dental chairs, delivery units, compressors, and suction systems for all dental locations
- Troubleshoot common equipment issues and perform minor repairs
- Maintain and service handpieces and other clinical instruments
- Track and document maintenance schedules and repairs
- Coordinate with external service vendors for advanced repairs when needed
- Assist in managing equipment inventory and replacement planning with Facilities leadership
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Benefits:
Marana Health strives to be the premier provider and employer in community health. We believe caring for our community begins with supporting the health and well-being of our employees.
Eligible employees may receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Health Savings Account with an employer contribution for employees enrolled in the qualifying high-deductible health plan
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Short-term disability and other voluntary worksite benefits
- Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave accrual
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid bereavement leave, including one day of pet bereavement leave
- Paid jury duty and community service leave
- Education reimbursement of up to $3,000 per fiscal year for eligible full-time employees
- Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
- Company-paid long-term disability coverage
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee wellness programs and additional discounts
Benefits and eligibility may vary based on employment classification, scheduled hours, position, and applicable plan or policy terms.
Marana Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, including those with disabilities and pregnancy-related conditions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to participate in the interview process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), please contact our Human Resources Department at 520-682-4111.
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