Dental Assistant

POSITION TITLE: Dental Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Dental

PAY GRADE: 6/9

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ESC CODE: 31-9091

FUNDING SOURCE: IHS

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for assisting dental providers in providing the highest quality dental care to Yakutat Community Health Center (YCHC) patients.

This position requires compliance with Health Center’s compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the position’s regular performance evaluation. 

Essential Functions:

1. Be able or while in training learn to complete patient intake, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures including: instrument exchange with the dentist; uses irrigation, suction, and retraction to keep the site of operation clear.
2. Takes and records medical and dental histories, and vital signs of patient or working towards learning.
3. Expose or working towards learning how to expose dental diagnostic radiographs.
4. Makes impressions or working towards learning how to make study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
5. Be able to pour and trim study models, fabricate custom impression trays, clean and polish removable appliances, and fabricates temporary restorations.
6. Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
7. Instruct learn how to instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control.
8. Provides postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
9. Be able to prepare patient charts and records treatment information.
10. Perform coronal polishing of teeth or be willing to work towards earning the certification.
11. Apply or while in training learn how to apply fluoride to teeth.
12. Provide instructions for homecare and post-operative care as directed by dentist.
13. Monitors and orders supplies.
14. Schedules appointments, provides administrative support, and maintains clerical records as directed.
15. Maintains confidentiality and safeguards medical information.
16. Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
17. Performs related duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of disease prevention and basic dental techniques.
• Knowledge of various dental instruments, ultrasonic, sterilizer, radiograph equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of dental instruments.
• Knowledge of HIPAA.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to prioritize and shift priorities to accommodate changing needs of the department.
• Ability to organize the multiple demands of the job.
• Ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with personal computer and utilize a variety of software applications, including office software systems and EHR system.
• Skill in oral communication.
• Skill in the provision of customer service.
• Skill in use of job-related equipment and tools.
• Skill in use of personal computer and a variety of job-related software applications.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, including exposure to contagious diseases. Employees may be required to use protective clothing, such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields.

The work requires some physical exertion; while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit, talk, and hear. Requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm.  Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.  The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or climb. The employee must regularly lift and /or move light objects, and occasional lift heavier objects.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:

This position has no formally assigned supervisory responsibility or authority.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience as a Dental Assistant Trainee and demonstrated competency performing the major duties of the position. 
• Certificate for coronal polishing preferred.
• Completion of radiation safety course.
• CPR certification or able to obtain CPR certification.
• Must comply with YCHC immunization and Covid policy.
• Must be dependable and punctual.
• Experience in working with the Native American population preferred.
• Full COVID-19 vaccination required unless a documented medical or religious exemption is approved. 
• Possession or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska with a clean driving record.
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check.

Disclosures:

We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

The Yakutat Tlingit Tribe maintains a drug-free workplace, and this position may be subject to random drug testing and criminal history checks.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who are Alaska Native and/or Yakutat Tlingit Tribal Members.

Native American preference, as defined in Title 25, US Code, Chapter 14, Subchapter V, Subsection 273 and 274, will be applied to the hiring of this position. We are an equal opportunity employer, with preference given to qualified Native American/Alaska Native applicants in accordance with federal law and tribal policy. 

Salary : $20