Dental Assistant Extern (Mt Diablo)

Who we are:  La Clínica de La Raza is a community-based health center committed to providing culturally appropriate, high-quality, and accessible health care to the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area.

*This position is only available to current Dental Assistant externs from Mt Diablo Unified School District.*

Volunteer will be coached in the flowing hands on applications:

Patient Care

• Manage patient flow to maximize patient access and service by ensuring dental exam rooms are adequately stocked and are ready for patients.
• Prepare patients for dental examination by taking and recording vital signs and medical/dental histories.
• Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
• Effectively communicate request from patients to dentist or dental care team members.
• Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures such as taking dental x-rays.
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain an adequate supply of functioning instruments and equipment.
• Prepare instruments, materials and medication for use in dental procedures.
• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Provide patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures.
• Provide prescription information to pharmacies, as directed by the dentist.
• Record treatment information in patient records using Electronic Dental Records system.

Commitment to Quality

• Demonstrate a commitment to excellent patient experience and quality outcomes in equal measure.
• Communicate and work effectively with providers and other members of the dental care team to best serve patients. Contribute to a welcoming clinical space and healthy work environment through proactive relationship building, direct communication and sound judgment.
• Engaged participation in huddles, staff meetings, team building activities and assigned development opportunities. Continue your professional development through participation in educational opportunities
• Adherence to La Clínica all ethical and professional standards, including La Clínica's policies and procedures.

General Office Duties that may aquired: 

• Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments for patients, answering telephones, recording medical updates from the provider, or completing insurance forms.
• Register patients, collect and post payments, prepare treatment estimates for review with patient, run, balance and close end of day reports.
• Assist patients with insurance forms.
• Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic in the appropriate electronic system.
• Inventory stock, order, and verify receipt of dental, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge that may be acquired:

• Basic dental assisting practices, terminology, and equipment used.
• Dental office procedures including but not limited to scheduling, registration, treatment estimates and payment collection.
• Working with modern computer applications and electronic health records.
• Techniques for cleaning and sterilization of dental equipment, exam rooms and patient treatment areas.

Abilities that may be acquired:

• Physical: ability to work in fourhanded dentistry and other job functions that involve continues movement.
• Communication: Bilingual proficiency. Use of clear and effective written and verbal communications skills using the English language with correct spelling and grammar. Able to follow oral/written instructions.
• Interpersonal Skills: Able to work professionally and collaboratively a team member to support the quality/efficiency standards established for the clinic; able to work and communicate with people from various ethnic, socio-economic, educational and life experience. Flexibility in accepting change gracefully.
• Administrative Skills: Ability to perform clerical duties in a methodical, independent and thorough manner with speed and accuracy with minimal supervision. work independently; exercise good judgment; make accurate mathematical computations;
• Availability: Able to participate with other staff in Saturday and evening rotation.

*Please note this is a non-paid volunteer position*