Maxillofacial Surgical Assistant

Working under general direction of the Practice Manager, the incumbent is responsible for effectively communicating with the oral surgery team while assisting during all phases of the clinical sessions. Accurately prepares each room with equipment and supplies and assists with oral surgical procedures including taking vital signs, digital images and x-rays and reviewing post-operative instruction to patients.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares patient for treatment; review medical and dental history and consult with medical practitioner. Conducts oral exam and takes vital signs, making appropriate notations in patient record and verbally reporting findings to physician.
• The surgical assistant is responsible for making sure all rooms are properly stocked with instruments, forms etc. and correctly decontaminates rooms after each procedure.
• Accurately takes impressions, bite registrations and fabricates models for pre-operative Orthognathic and trauma patients; prepares patient for procedures; cleans, sterilizes and sets up operating room.
• Using established written guidelines provides pre- and post-operative information to patients being admitted to Surgical Day Care Unit. (i.e. post-extraction instruction, care of wire jaw, nutritional guidelines for fracture and orthognathic patients).
• Assists Oral Surgical staff with procedures and patients under local, nitrous oxide, I.V. valium and deep sedation and general anesthesia; under direct supervision of surgeon, performs extra- and intra-oral procedures* (i.e. suture removal, dressing changes, irrigations, changing elastics).
• Exposes x-rays; ensures that x-rays are of adequate diagnostic quality.
• Performs selected clerical tasks as needed and all other task as assigned by the physicians and the Practice Manager

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attentive to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to provide compassionate care to patients and effectively communicate education instructions to them.
• Ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Ability to conduct a brief oral exam and take appropriate x-rays.
• Ability to take impressions, bite registrations and fabricate models for specific procedures.
• Knowledge of Universal Precautions
• Knowledge of Dental Radiology
• Knowledge of head and neck anatomy & physiology
• Knowledge of aseptic techniques
• Knowledge of chair-side assisting
• Knowledge of basic CPR
• Knowledge of complications and emergencies during general anesthesia
• Knowledge of surgical assistant duties for dental implant placement
• Knowledge of Laser Safety topics

• Valid Dental Assistant License from the Board of Registration in Dentistry for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required.
• Certified as a Dental Assistant (CDA) by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) preferred.
• Current Radiology and BLS certification required.
• Successfully obtain Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE) through the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons within the first 12 months of employment.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

Certifications:

Required:

• Radiology and BLS Certification
• Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE) through the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons within the first 12 months of employment.

Preferred:

• Certified as a Dental Assistant (CDA) by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) preferred.

EDUCATION:

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ambulatory care setting