Dental Assistant I

Job Description

At Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, we honor all members of our community and acknowledge the dignity of each person we serve. Our purpose is to provide high quality, comprehensive primary health care to the communities of Washington and Yamhill counties with a special emphasis on migrant and seasonal farm workers and a view to removing barriers to health care. We strive to provide an environment that welcomes and values the people we employ and serve.

If you are unsure whether you meet all the required qualifications for this role but are interested and passionate about this potential position, we encourage you to apply.

Job Summary : The Dental Assistant I assists the dentist or dental hygienist. This position exposes and processes x-rays, manages the dental operatories and performs patient intake.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Assist the dentist or dental hygienist in transfer of instruments utilizing approved dental assisting principles. Assist the operator in preparation and delivery of dental materials.
• Layout necessary instruments for procedure.
• Expose and process x-rays and duplicate when necessary; ensure all x-rays are suitable for diagnosis.
• Provide supportive care for patients.
• Keep the operatory neat and clean during procedures and disinfect thoroughly before each patient arrives.
• Properly maintain hand pieces and ensure that vacuum lines, unit, chair, light, instruments and try set ups are thoroughly disinfected and properly sterilized at all times.
• Maintain inventory of and order dental supplies; provide administration with appropriate purchase orders.
• Restock rooms as necessary.
• Provide patient management for the dental department.
• Perform expanded function duties as necessary.
• Work with the Dental Operations Coordinator on infection control and OSHA guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Handle protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

HIPAA Requirements

The Dental Assistant I will have access to PHI in the course of carrying out their duties. Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated records sets to which this employee will have access include : the full dental chart, the full medical chart, all information in the practice management system, and all other billing and account information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required :

Education and Experience Required :

Behavioral Competencies :

Accountability : Role model VG's mission, vision, and shared values

Customer-Focus : Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations

Teamwork : If someone needs help, help them

Initiative : Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work

Confidentiality : Maintain strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others

Ethical : Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work

Respect : Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients

Communication : Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others

Physical Requirements :

Working Environment / Physical Hazards :

Immunization :

Staff members must meet immunization requirements as stated in VGMHC's immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.

Job descriptions represent a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required. They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC's Mission.

VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, but also includes affirmative action in placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay, and termination.