Dental Assistant - PRN

West Cecil Health Center (WCHC) is seeking a Dental Assistant to join our team 4 - 5 days per week from December through June

WCHC is a thriving nonprofit, community health organization that provides comprehensive and collaborative patient centered healthcare services. Based primarily in Conowingo, some travel to Elkton may be required. Bilingual is a plus.

Position Summary:

The Dental Assistant plays a vital role in supporting dental providers and ensuring high-quality, efficient care for patients. Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, the Dental Assistant prepares operatories, assists during procedures, sterilizes instruments, and provides patient education. This position helps maintain the flow of the dental office, adheres to infection control standards, and promotes a positive experience for all patients.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Support:

• Assist dentist during a wide variety of general dental procedures including exams, restorations, extractions, and preventative care

• Prepare and maintain dental operatories and instruments before, during and after procedures

• Take and process dental radiographs in compliance with state regulations

• Collect and record patient health histories, blood pressure, and chief complaint prior to examination

• Record patient information, treatment notes, and procedure accurately in the electronic dental record system

• Assist the dentist in coordinating medical records, prior authorization requests, and referrals to specialists.

• Provide chairside support to ensure patient comfort and safety during procedures

• Support hygienist with patient flow to provide relief and support as needed

• Educate patients on oral hygiene practices and post-treatment care

• Assist with or initiate emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during the treatment of patients.

• Monitor and maintain inventory of dental supplies and instruments

• Disinfection, packaging, tracking, and checking in lab cases

Sterilization & Infection Control:

• Sterilize instruments and disinfect treatment areas in accordance with OSHA, CDC, and WCHC guidelines

• Ensure all dental equipment is cleaned, maintained, and functioning properly

Administrative & Team Support:

• Support the front office staff with patient flow to provide relief and support when needed

• Communicate effectively with the dental team to ensure seamless care delivery

• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and quality improvement initiatives

• Uphold and consistently represent the mission, vision, and values of WCHC at all times.

• Utilize the requisite tools, systems, and technology and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management, and collections.

• Ensure all patient records and related documents are managed and maintained in a timely and accurate manner, consistent with all HIPAA and associated regulations and requirements.

• Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.

Other Duties:

• Complies with all regulatory compliance areas, policies, and procedures

• Ensure effective relationships within and among department staff and other functional areas within WCHC

• Develop favorable relationships with vendors and related external entities.

• Bilingual employees: Provide communication and translation assistance to patients within the role scope

Qualifications & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• Completion of a Dental Assisting program preferred

• Current state-specific Dental Assistant registration or certification preferred

• X-Ray certification required

• Dental Assistant experience preferred

• Proficient knowledge of dentistry procedures and clinic infection control procedures

• Proficient in dental terminology

• Excellent communication and customer service skills

• Bilingual, English/Spanish, is aspirational

• Proficiency in dental software and basic computer skills

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This may be a full-time, part-time, or PRN position based on the needs of WCHC. Days and hours of work will be scheduled in accordance with operational needs.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

To successfully perform this role, the Dental Assistant must possess the following abilities:

Select all that apply:

• Sufficient capability to fulfill job responsibilities.

• Standing, walking, sitting: Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit at a desk/workstation for prolonged periods (typically 8-12 hours per shift).

• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling: Ability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 20 pounds: (examples: medical equipment, supplies, patient files).

• Reaching: Capacity to reach (choose overhead and/or at or below shoulder level)

• Keyboarding: Entering text or data into a computer or other machine by means of a traditional keyboard.

• Gross Manipulation: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand(s). It is often present when lifting involves the hands. Note: Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand to hold or operate a tool such as tin snips or scissors.

• Fine Manipulation: Touching, picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers to execute tasks such as answering phones, typing, transporting, and filing charts.

• Speaking: Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Hearing Requirements: The ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds (e.g., machinery alarms, medical codes or alarms). Including in-person speech, over the telephone, and/or using equipment

• Visual Acuity: sufficient to clearly see and distinguish small objects, including while using a computer, as well as to recognize individuals and features at a distance

Location & Travel

This position is located in West Cecil Health Center and/or its qualified subsidiaries. Regular local travel between sites may be warranted.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.