What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Pediatric Dental Assistant position at Tanana Chiefs Conference?
Description
Job Title
Lead Pediatric Dental Assistant
Location
Fairbanks, AK, US
Organization Name
Dental Clinic
Job Summary
Job Summary: Under the general supervision of the Dental Assistant Supervisor and general and direct supervision of the Pediatric dentist, Job incumbent performs semi-technical dental and routine clerical work. Work involves assisting pediatric dentist utilizing 4- 6 handed dentistry during examinations and treatments including pediatric sedation, full mouth dental rehabilitation in the operating room and overseeing other pediatric dental assistants. Cleans, sterilizes, and arranges instruments. Obtains oral radiographs as prescribed by dentist. Provides dental prophylaxis for patients requiring supragingival calculus, plaque, and stain removal. Conducts educational presentations for the prevention and control of dental diseases among children and adults. Specializing in knowledge in Pediatric treatment instruments, equipment, material and routine tasks according to standard procedures and instructions. Assists dentist specialists during complex dental procedures. Candidate is responsible for providing excellent customer service in all customer and staff interactions. Lead Pediatric Assistant should be comfortable and enjoy caring for children, recording and monitoring children while under sedation, and be willing to be trained in Pediatric Advance Life Support (or similar training for their scope) in order to use emergency airway equipment and assist in airway management.
Adhere to the TCC Ch’eghwtsen’ model of service and guiding principle which requires providing timely and effective service along with the ability to interact with others in a way that inspires trust and demonstrates respect, compassion and empathy.
Adhere to the TCC Ch’eghwtsen’ model of service and guiding principle which requires providing timely and effective service along with the ability to interact with others in a way that inspires trust and demonstrates respect, compassion and empathy.
Essential Functions
Essential Functions: This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbent(s).
Representative Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Dental Assistant Supervisor, job incumbent:
1. Works cooperatively as a member of a pediatric team to provide dental services. This involves learning skills from more experienced members of the team while teaching less experienced members of the team. Will work in other areas of the clinic performing general dental services when not required to support the pediatric clinic.
2. Frequently participates in operating room procedures while providing dental care for patients under general anesthesia.
3. Notes individual patient limitations and dental needs, as per the instructions of the pediatric dentist of record.
4. Seats and prepares parents and pediatric patients for treatment. Adjusts and readies dental operatory for patient care taking careful note of patient behavior and is able to compensate to ensure care is delivered successfully.
5. Arranges dental instruments and materials for each patient.
6. Advises and can communicate instructions to children and adults on proper home and post-operative care following treatment of teeth and supporting tissues.
7. Assists dentist with the instrumentation, medication and management of patient during treatment.
8. Assists dentist in the use of highly specialized dental equipment, such as x-ray, aspirators, pulse oximeters, sedation monitors, and nitrous oxide - oxygen flowmeter.
9. Mixes and prepares solutions and materials for restorations, surgical packs, and impressions.
10. Provides nutritional counseling to the parents of children presenting for dental treatment.
11. Presents individual and group presentations and demonstrations on oral health, utilizing models and audiovisual aids. Instructs children and adults on proper methods of oral hygiene (brushing teeth and utilization of dental floss).
12. Takes radiographs of pediatric patients as instructed by dentist.
13. Dates and enters on the examination record any charting she/he performs on the patient, and that is dictated by the examining dentist, such as carious lesions, missing teeth, etc.
14. Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments and operatories following treatment.
15. Orders dental and office supplies; performs inventory of pediatric specialty supplies.
16. Files and retrieves x-rays and reports.
17. Acts as a communication link between dentist, receptionist(s), and patient or patient’s parent(s).
18. Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment, i.e. lubrication of hand pieces, autoclave cleaning, etc.
19. Performs routine dental laboratory work, such as pouring up impressions for models, dies, etc.
20. Places occlusal sealants as prescribed by the dentist of record.
21. Provide supragingival dental prophylaxis for removal of calculus, stain, and plaque.
22. Occasional field/village travel with pediatric dentist may be required in order to provide dental care to TCC beneficiaries in the outlying areas where Nitrous Oxide is available.
23. Responsible for packing and transportation of field/village travel gear as required for village trips.
24. Travel with pediatric dentist to continuing educational courses that are applicable.
25. Serves as the lead pediatric assistant and point of contact for questions regarding pediatric services.
26. Is the primary dental assistant for pediatric OR coverage and will assist as needed for other OR cases.
27. Assists with case management of pediatric patients and OR cases, as well as similar case management for other specialty services as needed.
Other Responsibilities:
1. Performs other job related job duties as assigned.
Representative Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Dental Assistant Supervisor, job incumbent:
1. Works cooperatively as a member of a pediatric team to provide dental services. This involves learning skills from more experienced members of the team while teaching less experienced members of the team. Will work in other areas of the clinic performing general dental services when not required to support the pediatric clinic.
2. Frequently participates in operating room procedures while providing dental care for patients under general anesthesia.
3. Notes individual patient limitations and dental needs, as per the instructions of the pediatric dentist of record.
4. Seats and prepares parents and pediatric patients for treatment. Adjusts and readies dental operatory for patient care taking careful note of patient behavior and is able to compensate to ensure care is delivered successfully.
5. Arranges dental instruments and materials for each patient.
6. Advises and can communicate instructions to children and adults on proper home and post-operative care following treatment of teeth and supporting tissues.
7. Assists dentist with the instrumentation, medication and management of patient during treatment.
8. Assists dentist in the use of highly specialized dental equipment, such as x-ray, aspirators, pulse oximeters, sedation monitors, and nitrous oxide - oxygen flowmeter.
9. Mixes and prepares solutions and materials for restorations, surgical packs, and impressions.
10. Provides nutritional counseling to the parents of children presenting for dental treatment.
11. Presents individual and group presentations and demonstrations on oral health, utilizing models and audiovisual aids. Instructs children and adults on proper methods of oral hygiene (brushing teeth and utilization of dental floss).
12. Takes radiographs of pediatric patients as instructed by dentist.
13. Dates and enters on the examination record any charting she/he performs on the patient, and that is dictated by the examining dentist, such as carious lesions, missing teeth, etc.
14. Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments and operatories following treatment.
15. Orders dental and office supplies; performs inventory of pediatric specialty supplies.
16. Files and retrieves x-rays and reports.
17. Acts as a communication link between dentist, receptionist(s), and patient or patient’s parent(s).
18. Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment, i.e. lubrication of hand pieces, autoclave cleaning, etc.
19. Performs routine dental laboratory work, such as pouring up impressions for models, dies, etc.
20. Places occlusal sealants as prescribed by the dentist of record.
21. Provide supragingival dental prophylaxis for removal of calculus, stain, and plaque.
22. Occasional field/village travel with pediatric dentist may be required in order to provide dental care to TCC beneficiaries in the outlying areas where Nitrous Oxide is available.
23. Responsible for packing and transportation of field/village travel gear as required for village trips.
24. Travel with pediatric dentist to continuing educational courses that are applicable.
25. Serves as the lead pediatric assistant and point of contact for questions regarding pediatric services.
26. Is the primary dental assistant for pediatric OR coverage and will assist as needed for other OR cases.
27. Assists with case management of pediatric patients and OR cases, as well as similar case management for other specialty services as needed.
Other Responsibilities:
1. Performs other job related job duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
1. High school diploma or GED equivalent.
2. CPR certification / FMH credentials ( within 3 months of hire date )
3. 1 year of experience working with pediatric dental patients or 3 years in a family practice that sees children.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1. Enjoy working with children2. One of these two conditions must be met:
a) Demonstrated proficiency in the area of pediatric dentistry as evidenced by documented 100 half days of working in CAIHC pediatric specialty.
OR
b) Five consecutive years’ experience within the last seven years working as a Dental Assistant AND
c) Six months experience working as a DA I within the TCC Dental Clinic AND
d) Proficiency in pediatric dentistry area having worked 50 half days or 12 weeks with verification of hours worked.
3. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant-prophylaxis certification (required within 365 days of hire) or in-progress preceptorship status.
4. Certified (within 60 days of hire date) to take radiographs as an IHS Dental Assistant.
5. As required by AAAHC, receive training in Pediatric Advance Life Support or Similar training (within 90 days of hire date).
6. Working knowledge of the methods and practices in the treatment of dental diseases.
7. Skillful in the techniques used in caring for human teeth and other oral tissues and structures.
8. Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.
9. Ability to use child friendly verbiage and interact with children in an appropriate manner.
10. Be comfortable caring for and monitoring a medicated child during sedation.
11. Ability to schedule and coordinate appointments for operating room and sedation candidates
12. Ability to manage pediatric schedule to satisfaction of pediatric provider, ie sedations, operative, SDF.
Supervision: This position will not have direct supervision over other staff but will assist Dental Assistant Supervisor in training and leading out other pediatric dental assistants.
1. High school diploma or GED equivalent.
2. CPR certification / FMH credentials ( within 3 months of hire date )
3. 1 year of experience working with pediatric dental patients or 3 years in a family practice that sees children.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1. Enjoy working with children2. One of these two conditions must be met:
a) Demonstrated proficiency in the area of pediatric dentistry as evidenced by documented 100 half days of working in CAIHC pediatric specialty.
OR
b) Five consecutive years’ experience within the last seven years working as a Dental Assistant AND
c) Six months experience working as a DA I within the TCC Dental Clinic AND
d) Proficiency in pediatric dentistry area having worked 50 half days or 12 weeks with verification of hours worked.
3. Expanded Functions Dental Assistant-prophylaxis certification (required within 365 days of hire) or in-progress preceptorship status.
4. Certified (within 60 days of hire date) to take radiographs as an IHS Dental Assistant.
5. As required by AAAHC, receive training in Pediatric Advance Life Support or Similar training (within 90 days of hire date).
6. Working knowledge of the methods and practices in the treatment of dental diseases.
7. Skillful in the techniques used in caring for human teeth and other oral tissues and structures.
8. Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.
9. Ability to use child friendly verbiage and interact with children in an appropriate manner.
10. Be comfortable caring for and monitoring a medicated child during sedation.
11. Ability to schedule and coordinate appointments for operating room and sedation candidates
12. Ability to manage pediatric schedule to satisfaction of pediatric provider, ie sedations, operative, SDF.
Supervision: This position will not have direct supervision over other staff but will assist Dental Assistant Supervisor in training and leading out other pediatric dental assistants.
Supervision
Work environment: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases, nitrous oxide (may reconsider if pregnant or planning to be pregnant), adverse weather, occasionally hostile patients, various dental materials (including mercury), and dental power equipment. Two weeks of Dental field/village trip travel may be required to remote Alaskan Native Villages that have Nitrous Oxide capability. Travel is via small “Alaskan bush” aircraft or 4WD dirt roads in all types of Alaskan weather conditions. Field trips are usually for one week at a time. Dental field trips sometimes require lodging in school classrooms on a bedroll and sleeping bag. Food is not provided but per diem is given. Food must be transported and prepared by dental assistant traveler.
Physical demands: Position requires long periods of sitting, standing, recurring bending, stooping, crouching, stretching, and reaching. Job incumbent must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds in support of equipment/other. Patients may be required to be lifted bodily from time to time. Handles contaminated and uncontaminated needles on a regular basis. This position requires the incumbent's physical presence at a clinic (TCC, Hospital, or field) for an average of 8 to 10 hours depending on the circumstance. Overtime will occasionally be required.
Physical demands: Position requires long periods of sitting, standing, recurring bending, stooping, crouching, stretching, and reaching. Job incumbent must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds in support of equipment/other. Patients may be required to be lifted bodily from time to time. Handles contaminated and uncontaminated needles on a regular basis. This position requires the incumbent's physical presence at a clinic (TCC, Hospital, or field) for an average of 8 to 10 hours depending on the circumstance. Overtime will occasionally be required.
Summation
Summary: Incumbent must work as a cooperative, dependable and successful member of the pediatric dental team.
