Position: Hygienist
Reports to: Dental Director
Time/Status: Regular, Exempt
Welcome to Central City Community Health Center where our mission is to provide quality patient centered health care to low-income, undeserved individuals. With 15 direct clinic locations in Los Angeles, North Orange County and the Inland Empire, as well as outpatient support to almost 700 private Residential Care facilities, our core value of exceeding patient relationships in a culturally sensitive manner translate into an environment where the welfare of our patients always comes first. We seek the best trained clinical and professional staff and strive to provide care in a culturally sensitive manner.
Position SummaryUnder the supervision of a Dentist in a clinical setting and using established dental hygiene protocols and procedures, the Dental Hygienist provides professional, high-quality dental care and education to a broad range of patients.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients, performs patient education and risk protocols under the supervision of a dentist
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, taking x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes and related procedures
• Assesses dental conditions and risk, uses patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting and perio-charting
• Takes patient vital signs as required
• Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments and outcomes
• Evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the supervision of the Dentist
• Provides high-quality dental hygiene care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care
• Patient screening procedures such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting
• Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment
• Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth
• Applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)
• Counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health
• Performing documentation and office management activities
• Serving as an infection control officer, abiding by infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment as needed
• Uses downtime to clean and restock operatories
• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
• Providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling)
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining cpr certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers
• Punctuality and Attendance: This is an essential job duty for CCCHC’s employees given the impact on patients.

Knowledge, Skill and Technical Qualities

• Work effectively with individuals and follow oral and written directions.
• Mature judgment, tact, discretion and confidentiality are mandatory.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and infection control standards
• Thorough knowledge of dental terminology
• Thorough understanding of the theories, methods and procedures for the prevention of dental diseases and the required corrective treatment
• Knowledge of community-based dental environment
• Ability to supervise and train employees, organizing, prioritizing and scheduling work assignments
• Knowledge of ethical and legal standards for the delivery of dental hygiene care
• Ability to observe, assess and record symptoms, reactions and progress
• Ability to develop and implement individualized dental hygiene care plans for patients
• Maintains and expands current level of dental hygienist skills and knowledge by periodically attending continuing education programs

Behavioral Qualities

• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision
• Responds constructively to pressure situations and time limits
• Accepts and offers guidance and supervision as appropriate
• Professional, pleasant and effective representation of the organization
• Attends and participates in staff meetings to review team progress
• Places a high value on personal and departmental performance excellence
• Adheres to office dress code and standards of behavior
• Maintains patient confidentiality

Mental Demands

• Tactful, Diplomatic, Empathetic
• Communicate effectively and tactfully with patients, customers, managers and other levels of personnel, in person and on the telephone.
• Pay close attention to detail.
• Organize and schedule work effectively.
• Handle multiple tasks.
• Work in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Work involves exposure to unusual elements such as unpleasant odors and/or loud noises
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, assisting with patients and standing and/or walking for most the day
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training
• General medical office activities - walking, standing, sitting, talking, lifting, typing, etc.

Education/Licensure Requirements

• Must be a Registered dental hygienist (RDH) from an accredited program with a current license to practice in the state of California
• 2-year certificate program or associate degree program in dental hygiene from an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
• Current CPR certification

REMARKS: Management has the right to add or change duties and job requirements at any time. In addition, the employer may consider whether the individual applying for or holding the position is qualified. There are two steps involved in this determination. The first concerns whether the applicant or current employee satisfies the prerequisites for the position. The second step involves whether the person can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Central City Community Health Center offer a dynamic work environment with competitive salaries and benefits. Central City Community Health Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Central City complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.