The Dental Assistant performs para-professional dental functions, such as assisting staff with patient care and maintaining clinical area cleanliness, alongside receptionist duties like scheduling appointments and verifying patient needs. This role supports the mission of Peoples Community Health Clinic by following established policies and procedures.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have completed a Dental Assisting program or hold student/registered status, with one year of experience preferred, and must maintain required competencies for licensure. Essential skills include strong analytical abilities, comfort with MS Office and dental software, excellent communication, and the ability to work independently in a stressful clinical setting.
professional certificateAttention To DetailCommunicationProblem-SolvingConfidentialityAdaptabilityOrganizationPatient CareAppointment SchedulingInfection ControlRecord MaintenanceClerical DutiesRadiographyMS Office ProductsFront Desk ReceptionPatient AccountsEHR System Navigation
Job description
Job Description
Dental Assistant
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt
Reports to: Dental Clinic Supervisor
Job Summary/Objective
The Dental Assistant, under supervision of professional dental staff, performs para-professional dental functions and receptionist functions. Performs all defined services and other related duties in accordance with the mission of Peoples Community Health Clinic.
Protected Health Information Requirements/Access
This position will require the use or disclosure of protected health Information.
This position will use the Treatment class of protected health information.
Restrictions on the protected health information for this position will follow the Privacy Policies of Peoples Community Health Clinic, Inc.
Use or disclosure of protected health information not routinely available to this position will follow procedures assessed by or directed by management.
Patient Records – Yes Medical Information System - Yes
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Assist dental staff and providers with patient care including maintaining the cleanliness and supplies of the clinical area.
Maintains and reviews dental records.
Perform clerical duties related to patient appointments including:
Front desk reception functions within the dental department.
Schedules patient appointments in person and by phone
Verifies patient appointments are completed, such as radiographs, examination, treatment, and referral.
Assists with patient accounts functions.
Supports a service-oriented atmosphere in accordance with Peoples Community Health Clinic Mission and Philosophy.
Follows PCHC policies and procedures.
Develops and maintains competencies required for licensure requirements.
Works to improve work processes and clinical outcomes including health disparity and quality improvement collaborative.
Maintains a safe working environment and practices safe working habits.
Assists in control of Peoples Community Health Clinic resources.
Competencies
Strong analytical, critical and problem-solving skills
Self-motivated to develop and maintain own competence as it pertains to the position.
Working knowledge of MS Office Products (ex. Outlook, Excel, Word) and Windows Platform. Must be comfortable moving within Dental program software and/or an EHR computer system regularly.
Ability to work with diverse groups of people
Ability to work with a large degree of independence and respond calmly in stressful situations
Communication – listening, speaking, writing, and reading comprehension
Skilled in planning, organizing, adaptability, attentiveness to detail and flexibility of assignment.
Maintains strict confidence
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Not applicable.
Patient Population
• Pediatric to geriatric.
Work Environment/Personal Protective Equipment
This position operates in a clinical environment, PPE is required.
Physical Demands
This position requires continuous alternating sitting/standing(67% - 100% of the shift); occasional walking (1% - 33% of shift); occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs. (1% - 33% of shift); and occasional pushing/pulling up to 100 lbs.; continuous finger dexterity (67% - 100% of shift) and occasional use of hands/arms/feet/legs for repetitive movement (1% - 33% of shift); occasional driving, bending/stooping, twisting, squatting/crouching, and climbing stairs, frequent reaching at, above, and below shoulder level (34% - 67% of shift); frequent work with moving machinery (hand pieces),and occasional exposure to gases, dusts, and odors. Requires 20/40 near vision and moderate depth perception.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position.
Typically work hours and days are between Monday and Friday,8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and some flexibility in hours is allowed.
Responsibilities occasionally may require irregular hours as deemed necessary.
This may include an adjusted work schedule, long days, and early morning or late evening hours in order to meet client scheduling demands.
The employee must work a minimum of 40.0 hours each week to maintain full-time status.
Travel
Occasional driving might be expected.
Education and Experience
Completion of Dental Assisting program or is of registered or student status.
One-year dental assisting experience preferred.
Certificates and Licenses
Current Iowa QDA certification preferred.
Board approved study and examination in the areas of radiography, infection control, hazardous materials and jurisprudence.
Current BLS or CPR/First Aid certification
Mandatory reporter training for child and dependent adult abuse certificate
Other Duties
The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements as individuals may perform other duties as assigned.
