Dental Assistant - float (Canton/Ogdensburg)

REPORTS TO: Practice Manager / Dental Director

RATE OF PAY: $18.82/hour - $20.31/hour; biweekly pay structure

WORK SCHEDULE: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Monday-Friday, shifts may vary between the hours of 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM. No nights, no weekends, no major holidays. The schedule may be split between the Canton and Ogdensburg offices.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Dental Assistant will perform duties assigned by the Clinic Dentist or Hygienist in conformity with training and within legal limitations as recognized by the American Dental Association and New York State Education Department. This position will assist with patient care, recordkeeping, and preparing and cleaning tools used in conjunction with dental procedures.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist dentist in performing clinical procedures by passing instruments, retracting tissues, suctioning water, etc. and mixes and formulates dental materials such as cement, impressions, and restoration materials.
• Performs dental services commensurate with training, including instrument sterilization maintenance of equipment and implementation of infection control policies.
• Operates dental equipment, including evacuator, autoclave, triturator, and oxygen as needed.
• Assists the dentist in patient management.
• Assists with wheelchair transfer.
• Oversees scheduling of appointments for all dental patients for recall appointments.
• Maintains appropriate, complete, and accurate records, including tracking consent forms and following the progress of dental lab (prosthetic) cases.
• Assists in monitoring dental patients who have received oral sedation.
• Clarifies dentist’s findings and orders as needed for patients and staff.
• Communicates with dental repair services technicians on all dental repairs.
• Assists in education programs for patients and staff.
• Participates in group conferences where expertise is required.
• Maintains records of:

a) Radiation Exposure Reports, which are sent and processed monthly.

b) Autoclave testing and reports.

• Prepares order forms for needed supplies or materials and submits them to the Dental Director and/or Practice Manager for signature.
• Follows all infection control policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Dental Director and/or Practice Manager.

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent Required.
• One year of approved chair-side experience as a dental assistant is preferred.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
• Exhibits a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Medium work; ability to lift, carry, and transfer 50 lbs. (Seldom)
• Excellent hand-eye coordination
• Ability to sit/stand for long periods
• Regular exposure to infectious diseases, blood and airborne pathogens, needle sticks, hygiene issues, and other odors.
• Able to tolerate hospital smells.
• Ability to read digital readouts, recognize colors, and operate necessary equipment.
• Ability to wear necessary hospital masks, gowns, gloves, and close-toed shoes.

BENEFITS:

Cerebral Palsy Association / Community Health Center of the North Country offers eligible employees excellent, affordable benefits options. Options include medical, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Term Life/AD&D insurance, long-term and short-term disability, 401(k), and other elective programs. We also offer generous time off, including vacation, personal, and sick time, as well as paid holidays.