What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental Assistant position at Southwest Montana Community Health Center?

Dental Assistant

40 hours, benefits-eligible

Mon – Fri, 7 : 45-5 : 15

FLSA Non-exempt - Successful candidate must pass a criminal background check

Willing to train a dependable person who brings motivation to succeed, a strong work ethic, maturity, and a sense of responsibility and commitment to the table
Starting wage $16.00 / hour or more for higher qualified individuals
Candidate review begins 2 / 27 / 2025 - position open until filled

Position Summary :

Under the general direction and supervision of the Dental Director / Dentist, this position prepares patients for dental examination and procedures. Assists in providing patient care within the appropriate scope of practice to a diverse patient population.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education : High School diploma or equivalent required; graduation or completion of a dental assisting program preferred

License / Certification : Must obtain current BLS certification at the earliest opportunity if not held at the time of hire, must pass RHS test within 6 months of hire if not held at the time of hire

Experience : One-year prior experience as a dental or medical assistant preferred

Job Requirements :

Must have the highest standards for attendance and punctuality

Must embrace teamwork and be willing to help others voluntarily

Uses the appropriate chain of command to solve problems

The ability to carry out functions and core competencies of a Dental Assistant

The ability to become proficient in the operation of a computer system and applicable software programs (i.e. Office 365, etc.)

The ability to become proficient in the use of computerized imaging and electronic dental record program

The ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff

Possess and apply the skills necessary to effectively treat patients of all age groups, regardless of the special needs of the patient

Perform duties in a manner that is both professional and compassionate

Apply knowledge in a manner that allows the needs of each provider and therefore each patient to be met

Essential Functions, Roles, and Responsibilities

Assists practitioners in performing procedures

Maintain medical records

Explain technical medical information to patients

Performs initial clinical interview and processing of patients that include :

Takes description of the chief complaint or reason for the visit

Review patient medical history and make any appropriate changes

Assesses for and identifies abnormal patient conditions and immediately reports them to the clinician

Assists chair side independently and provides dental care to patients across the lifespan

Accurately and consistently understands and communicates dental terminology while relaying information to co-workers, patients, and health records

Demonstrates skill in computer operations and dental software

Keeps accurate records of dental office inventory and orders supplies as necessary

Performs operatory set-up and clean-up and dental instrument sterilization as outlined by infection control guidelines provided by OSHA

Maintains dental equipment such as handpieces, operatories and evacuation units, radiographic equipment, and sterilization units according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

Demonstrates the ability to deal courteously and effectively with patients displaying a calm and caring demeanor while remaining professional

Ability to deal with stressful situations and high volumes of workload while displaying a sound understanding of prioritization and organization

Backs up dental check-in, dental check-out, and / or dental scheduling as necessary

Complies with dental office and corporation policy and procedures consistently in all aspects of employment

Ability to organize and prioritize workload

Must report to work on time and as scheduled

Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Competent in dealing with racially, ethnically, and economically diverse populations

Competent in the use of computers and learning new technology

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to organize and prioritize tasks

Ability to work under pressure

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills

Ability to calm patients who may be fearful or nervous

Ability to work independently and as a team member

Legal Concepts :

Practices with the scope of education, training, and personal capabilities

Maintains confidentiality

Follows federal, state, and local legal guidelines; follows license criteria when licensure applies

Maintains HIPAA & OSHA compliance

Reports any evidence of abuse or neglect to the provider or appropriate official

Supervision : This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Immediate Supervisor : Dental Operations Coordinator; in their absence, designee

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions :

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over some time without being distracted.

Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

The position is based in the Butte; however, position responsibilities may require travel to Dillon on rare occasions. A valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and registration are required for use of the company car.

General office / clinic conditions are pleasant; good, clean working conditions where accident and hazards are negligible; requires short periods of moderate lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to twenty pounds; requires the ability to occasionally lift and transfer heavy objects.

OSHA Classification I : Normal work routine involves potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood and / or body fluids; use of appropriate protective measures is required.

COVID-19 Essential Roles and Responsibilities

To maintain the best possible conditions in the dental clinic for both coworkers and patients, added responsibilities will include :

Adhering to PPE and laundering responsibilities and protocols

Adhering to sanitization protocols properly without falling behind with patient responsibilities

Inventory at the end of each day

Keeping track of aerosol-producing rooms and following established and necessary protocols

Taking patient’s temperature once they are seated in the dental chair

Assuring all patients complete a pre-procedural rinse before being seated

COVID-19 Physical Demands / Working Conditions

Due to the extreme diligence needed to prevent transmission of infection disease, position responsibilities will require extra care and time to be put into sanitization, disinfection, and adequate room turnover as described by the COVID-19 policies and procedures manual. Increased amounts of PPE and personal hygiene bay necessitate that duties are completed rigorously and without many breaks. Ergonomic breaks may be limited to the lunch hour should the clinic fall behind schedule in either the treatment of patients or sterilization. COVID-19 test is available to all employees free of cost and surveillance testing in an option for those employees who would like it.

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

About Southwest Montana Community Health Center

Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a recognized National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH designation is gained by meeting certain standards set by the NCQA. These standards include providing comprehensive, coordinated care, using evidence-based practices, and engaging patients in their care. Community health centers that receive PCMH designation are recognized for providing high-quality, patient-centered care that improves health outcomes and reduces costs. PCMH is our model of primary care that emphasizes care coordination, communication, and patient engagement to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. The PCMH model encourages providers to work as a team to coordinate and manage care for patients, provide timely access to care, and use evidence-based practices to improve outcomes. The PCMH model also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement, providing patients with the tools and resources they need to take an active role in their own health care.

We opened our doors in 1986 under the name Butte-Silver Bow Primary Healthcare Clinic Inc. Our main clinic is in Butte, Montana, and we have locations in Dillon and Anaconda, Montana. We offer medical, dental, behavioral health, care management, pharmacy, and clinical pharmacy services to everyone. We accept most insurances and private-pay clients, as well as uninsured or underinsured clients. Our passion is to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable to everyone.

Our clinics care for more than 13,000 patients annually and employs more than 150 people in our various locations.

About Southwest Montana Community Health Center :

Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a mission-driven, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). FQHCs are community-based healthcare providers that receive funding from the Federal government to provide comprehensive primary care services in underserved areas. FQHCs provide care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, and offer a sliding fee discount based on income. FQHCs must meet certain requirements to receive funding, such as providing services to medically underserved areas or populations, offering a comprehensive set of primary care services, and having a governing board that includes patients.Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a recognized National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH designation is gained by meeting certain standards set by the NCQA. These standards include providing comprehensive, coordinated care, using evidence-based practices, and engaging patients in their care. Community health centers that receive PCMH designation are recognized for providing high-quality, patient-centered care that improves health outcomes and reduces costs. PCMH is our model of primary care that emphasizes care coordination, communication, and patient engagement to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. The PCMH model encourages providers to work as a team to coordinate and manage care for patients, provide timely access to care, and use evidence-based practices to improve outcomes. The PCMH model also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement, providing patients with the tools and resources they need to take an active role in their own health care.We opened our doors in 1986 under the name Butte-Silver Bow Primary Healthcare Clinic Inc. Our main clinic is in Butte, Montana, and we have locations in Dillon and Anaconda, Montana. We offer medical, dental, behavioral health, care management, pharmacy, and clinical pharmacy services to everyone. We accept most insurances and private-pay clients, as well as uninsured or underinsured clients. Our passion is to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable to everyone.Our clinics care for more than 13,000 patients annually and employs more than 150 people in our various locations.

Salary : $16 - $18

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