Oral Surgery Assistant, Oral Surgery

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Oral Surgery Assistant is responsible for assisting the Oral Surgeons in the clinical treatment of patients and for infection control efforts for oral surgery practice as directed by oral surgeon. This includes ensuring the availability and use of protective wear for all patients and employees; maintaining instruments and equipment; overseeing sterilization and waste management issues. The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet patients upon arrival and direct patients to and from operatory.

• Ensures X-ray is current and of good diagnostic quality, shows entire tooth and root and was taken no more than 12 months before visit and take X-Rays and Cone-Beam CT scans as necessary

• Room patients and complete full intake, including obtaining height, weight, and initial blood pressure. Review and update the patient’s medical history; record blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pulse; verify and update pharmacy information; and review current medications for accuracy.

• Ensure operatories are properly set-up for procedures. Check to ensure that operatories, units, and clinical areas are stocked, cleaned, and disinfected after each patient and procedure.

• Perform clinical procedures such as, connecting and disconnecting patient to monitors, and assist with removing IV’s.

• Complete all required pre‑operative checklists prior to patient surgery and post‑operative checklists prior to discharge to ensure safety and compliance with surgical protocols.

• Update Sedation Narrator throughout surgery, including blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse, and medication administration.

• At all times show care and concern for patients, ask about position in chair and attend to patient while in surgery and recovering. Give patient post-operative instruction, ensure understanding of same instructions, change gauze as required, and alert surgeon to any medical issues, patient concerns, or post-op complications.

• Assist the provider in entering procedure codes for the current visit, ensuring all codes are accurate and paired with the appropriate diagnosis codes.

• Create comprehensive treatment plans based on provider recommendations, enter them into the system with full accuracy, and print finalized plans for patient review and signature.

• Schedule the patient’s next visit directly from the operatory, including surgical procedures, follow‑up appointments, and any required multi‑visit treatment sequences.

• Recognize and respond to basic and advanced dental and medical emergencies.

• Maintain a supply and drug inventory for surgical procedures, infection control, and oxygen, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide tanks. Ensures all inventory items are unpacked and properly stored.

• Discard all disposable items for each visit, discard regulated waste properly in accordance with state and local procedures, and properly soak all instruments in ultrasonic cleaner prior to sterilization.

• Sort and package instruments for sterilization before loading, activating, and venting the sterilization unit according to the manufacturer’s directions.

• Clean ultrasonic units and autoclaves on regular basis and use a spore test once a week for sterilizers. Keep sterilization logs current and file spore test results.

• Answer live calls and return clinical line voicemails; assess patient concerns, provide appropriate guidance, schedule post‑operative emergency appointments when indicated, and escalate urgent or complex issues to the provider as needed.

• Monitor and manage the clinical in‑basket pool, responding promptly and accurately to patient messages regarding clinical concerns. Escalate messages to the provider when symptoms, complications, or medical decision‑making exceed triage scope.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours at a time). Continually use fingers for patient care, writing and handling patient charts. Routinely uses upper extremities; occasionally life items up to 25 pounds. Occasionally pushcart with supplies up to 30 pounds. Occasionally push wheelchair with a patient weighing up to 325 pounds. Stoop, bend and reach above shoulder lever regularly. Hearing as it relates to normal conversation and taking blood pressure readings. General vision, near vision, peripheral is all required.

EDUCATION:

High School degree or equivalent required. Graduates of an accredited American Dental Association program and/or coursework in dental instruments and procedures are strongly preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Preferred:

• Three years' experience in oral surgery office/dental office.
• Customer service experience is strongly preferred.
• DAANCE (Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification)

Required:

• BLS/CPR: Current or within 60 days of hire; through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
• X-Ray certification: Current or within 60 days of hire.

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.