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high plains community health center

Dental Assistant – EDDA or EFDA ($19.53 – $25.00 per hour)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant – Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) or Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) will provide assistance to the Dentist and Dental Hygienist in administrative and clinical duties.  Working as a member of the oral health care team with responsibility for patient exams and procedures under the scope of the Colorado Dental Practice Act.

High Plains Community Health Center (HPCHC) is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an environment for career advancement and professional growth at all levels.  HPCHC complies with organization-wide policies and Federally Qualified Health Center and OSHA requirements, related to the performance of HPCHC operations and requirements of the compliance program.

PRODUCTIVITY AND EXPECTATIONS:

The Dental Assistant – EFDA or EDDA is an essential component to the success of HPCHC. This position is expected to prioritize time and responsibilities in the following manner:

70%: Clinical Support

  • Room patients in a warm and friendly manner.
  • Collect and record patient medical and dental health histories, medications, allergies, and patient vital signs.
  • Prepare operatories for procedures, this is to include instruments, materials, and equipment necessary for each procedure.
  • Take radiographs as ordered by the dental hygienist/dentist.
  • Perform coronal polishing and flossing of teeth.
  • Apply topical fluoride.
  • Provide patient education for preventative dentistry, which includes proper brushing and flossing techniques; proper nutrition; the purpose of sealants; and the purpose of topical fluoride.
  • Clean removable appliances and prostheses.
  • Prepare for local anesthesia.
  • Assist the dentist and dental hygienist in chair-side procedures routinely done in a general dental practice.
  • Maintain field of operation during dental procedures using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing, and removing cotton rolls, etc.
  • Understand and use the concept of four-handed dentistry.
  • Place sealants.
  • Monitor and respond to post-surgical bleeding and place post-extraction dressing.
  • Place and remove retraction cord, temporary fillings, matrix bands, and dental dam.
  • Fabricate custom trays, whitening trays, and athletic mouthguards.
  • Fabricate and place temporary crowns.
  • Remove temporary crowns and cement.
  • Place liners and bases.
  • Place and carve amalgam restorations.
  • Place, cure, and finish composite restorations.
  • Remove sutures.
  • Take preliminary and final impressions.
  • Pour and trim models.
  • Complete lab forms, prepare outgoing lab cases, receive incoming lab cases, and deliver lab cases to drop locations.
  • Provide the patient with pre- and post-op instructions as prescribed by the dentist following oral surgery, prosthodontic placement, and restoration placement.
  • Provide patient education for preventative dentistry, which includes proper brushing and flossing techniques, proper nutrition, the purpose of sealants, and the purpose of topical fluoride.
  • Provide home care instructions for removable prosthodontics.
  • Take phone calls for the dentist from pharmacies, labs, patients, and other providers.
  • Complete prescriptions as prescribed by the dentist.
  • Present and educate the patient on the proposed treatment plan.
  • Sterilize instruments, equipment, and supplies.
  • Maintain, disinfect, and stock operatories and labs.
  • Assist in training new dental assistants.
  • Assist with medical and dental emergencies according to OSHA and office protocols.
  • Follow and maintain infection control protocols.

15%:  Documentation

  • Collect and record patient medical and dental health histories, medications, allergies, and patient vital signs.
  • Chart periodontal probing and clinical findings of the patient as noted by the dental hygienist and dentist.
  • Complete patient chart notes and charges.
  • Complete referrals and send x-rays as directed by the dentist.
  • Enter actions for every patient based on recall and follow-up needs.
  • Prepare and mail recall cards.

15%:  Dental Office Duties

  • Answer incoming calls and assist patients with paperwork.
  • Schedule and confirm appointments.
  • Perform routine maintenance on equipment.
  • Complete protocols for opening and closing the dental clinic.
  • Participates in departmental and general staff meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High School diploma or equivalent required.
  • Current Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) or within 90 days of hire required.
  • Successful completion of a dental assistant program or certification is preferred.
  • Successful completion of continuing education for Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA or EDDA) and Techniques for Making Impressions and Temporary Restorations for the EFDA required.
  • Radiation safety certification or successful completion of a radiation safety course required.
  • One year of dental assisting experience preferred.
  • Experience working with diverse and/or underserved populations preferred.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Demonstrates commitment to the organizational mission, vision, and values.
  • Maintains knowledge of federal and state regulations related to FQHC’s and relative practice area.
  • Exhibits the ability to make sound decisions for delivery of care/services.
  • Demonstrates effective relationships with clinic staff, patients, public, outside vendors/agencies, and providers.
  • Communicates effectively; demonstrates ability to speak, read, and write professionally, as well as compile, analyze and present information in English.
  • Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
  • Exercises professional judgment, courtesy, and professionalism in daily interactions with others.
  • Works both independently and as part of a team; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse patient populations.
  • Displays time management and organizational skills to consistently meet deadlines.
  • Performs other duties as required.

There will be opportunities for other duties as this position may evolve and policies and training may change. Reasonable accommodation will be reviewed, and modifications may be made according to ADA guidelines.  This position utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques, and appropriate equipment to minimize fall risk to patients and/or injury to self.

FULL TIME POSITION BENEFITS

  • Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance with four affordable United Health Care Health Plans.
  • Basic Group Life / AD&D Insurance provided by employer.
  • Voluntary life insurance and voluntary short term disability options.
  • Supplemental insurance.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) – 18.5 days per year (increases with employment tenure).
  • Holidays – 9.5 paid holidays.
  • FAMLI – Paid family and medical leave benefits – Voluntary employee 0.45% match.
  • 401K Plan – Match and Profit-Sharing Options after 60 days of employment.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
  • Limited Purpose FSA (Available to HSA Members).
  • Dependent Care FSA.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA).

Deadline for applying: This posting will remain open and accepting applications until the position is filled.

Additional Information
Position Type : Full Time
Shift : Day
Hourly Wage: $19.53 – $25.00 / Hour

Contact Information
Human Resources
201 Kendall Drive
Lamar, Co 81052
Email: people@highplainschc.net

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Education

Please include all educational information on your attached resume.

Employment Information

Please include your last three employers or other relevant employment information on your attached resume.

References

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Please review the terms of employment below.

In making application for employment:
* I certify that the information in this application is true and complete for all practical purposes. It may be verified by the facility or any affiliate. Should a position be offered and later it is found that the information is significantly untrue, incomplete, or misrepresented, I understand and agree that the facility or its affiliates are relieved of all commitments, financial or otherwise pertinent to employment,and that I am subject to immediate discharge without recourse.

*I understand that an investigative report may be made by a consumer reporting agency to include information as to my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living, whichever may be applicable. If such an investigative report is made, I understand that I will receive notice that such a report has been requested, and that I will have the right to make a written request for a complete and accurate disclosure of additional information concerning the nature and scope of the investigation.

* I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK WHICH I MAY RECEIVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, BUT WILL BE MERELY A GRATUITOUS STATEMENT OF FACILITY POLICIES.

* I understand that the facility reserves the right to require its employees to submit to blood tests or urinalyses for alcohol or drug screens, or to allow inspection of bags (including purses or briefcases) or parcels brought into or taken out of the facility. I understand that refusal to submit to a urinalysis or blood test, when requested to do so, may result in termination of my employment.

*Compliance with this facility’s Substance Abuse Policy is a condition of employment. This health center requires that every newly hired employee be free of alcohol or drug abuse. Each offer of employment is contingent upon successfully completing a urinalysis test/screen for alcohol and drugs in accordance with facility policy.Continued employment is also contingent upon compliance with the health center’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy.

*I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT IF I AM OFFERED EMPLOYMENT BY THE FACILITY, MY EMPLOYMENT WILL BE FOR NO DEFINITE TERM AND THAT EITHER I, OR THE FACILITY WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, AND WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE, I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS STATUS CAN ONLY BE ALTERED BY A WRITTEN CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WHICH IS SPECIFIC AS TO ALL MATERIAL TERMS AND IS SIGNED BY ME AND THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FACILITY.

Release:
I hereby authorize any prior employers to provide such information concerning my employment with them as may be requested, and also authorize the Registrar/Placement Office of all educational institutions attended to release an official copy of my transcript and, if available, faculty appraisals. I also authorize any appropriate licensing board to release full information concerning my licensure status and my licensure history. I agree that I will settle any and all claims, disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to my application for employment, employment or termination of employment with the employer exclusively by final and binding arbitration and before a neutral Arbitrator and in accordance with the rules and procedures for employment disputes adopted by the employer. Such claims shall include those that could be brought in a court of law under any applicable federal, state or local statutory or common law, such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, including the amendments of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, state civil rights acts, the law of contract and the law of tort.