Lead Dental Assistant: Oral Surgery

Grade: T23

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A variety of important factors are reviewed by HR when considering salary, including job duties, the applicant's education and experience, all relevant internal equity considerations, department budget, and funding source.

Summary:

As the second-oldest dental school in the U.S., the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry upholds a legacy of innovation in dental education, research efforts, community service and pioneering healthcare services. Founded in 1863, Kornberg remains a pillar in the dental community. We have more than 7,000 alumni currently redefining the field of oral health around the world. In 2023, the school proudly celebrated its 160th Anniversary.

Kornberg supports health and wellness through a range of diverse educational programs and comprehensive patient services. Our students become dedicated and ethical professionals who honor the traditional models of dental care while staying focused on discovering new ones. We train the experts who lead the field.

Our renowned faculty and staff provide students with a wealth of opportunities and resources, including smart classrooms, digital dentistry labs, clinics and a preclinical lab that emphasizes collaboration. Students pursue postbaccalaureate, predoctoral, continuing education and advanced education in general dentistry programs.

The Lead Dental Assistant will provide assistance to the residents, faculty and students in the treatment of dental patients within the Department of Oral Surgery in the School of Dentistry. Primary responsibilities will be assisting with various routine and complex surgical dental procedures including preparing chairs or surgical rooms for procedures, welcoming and seating patients into the chair, performing 4 handed dentistry during procedures, and maintaining and disinfecting operatories between and after patient visits. In addition, the Dental Assistant will be responsible for support during medical emergencies including monitoring emergency drug and oxygen supplies, and infection control and safety protocols, taking x-rays using digital imaging and uploading x-rays and other patient related data into axium, pouring and trimming dental impressions, ordering and maintaining supplies, troubleshooting dental equipment and instruments, maintaining logs for equipment maintenance and safety required by the University, School, and Department for Infection Control, and assisting with the sterilization process. Other responsibilities will include filling in at the front desk when needed, including greeting and checking patients into the clinic, scheduling and confirming appointments, creating and maintaining patient files, tracking and maintaining patient flow within the practice, answering phones, screening calls, taking messages, answering questions of a non-complex nature. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

*Chairside assisting for faculty and Residents with various routine and complex procedures.

*Works with faculty and other supervisors to ensure that patient care is appropriate and efficient.

*Assists with all regulatory compliance (HIPPA, OSHA, emergency preparedness, infection control, etc.) for the dental clinic.

*Sterilize and maintain dental equipment and instruments. Run appropriate tests to monitor their function.

*Maintains logs for equipment maintenance and for other safety logs required by the University, School, and Department.

*Maintain and disinfect operatories between and after patient visits.

*Assist patients with recovery and departure.

*Coordinate appliances that are sent out to and received from dental laboratories.

*Coordinate follow-up for all appliances for patients who have appliances.

*Prepare data reports for the department.

*Ensures that repairs of equipment, furniture and facilities are handled in a timely matter.

*Perform chart documentation checks.

*Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.

*Coordinate purchasing of inventory and supplies and maintains related records.

*Taking, processing, and mounting of digital X-Rays.

*Serve as information resource, resolves problems, and refers students, patients, staff, faculty and public to proper sources.

*Maintain clinic forms, handouts, and patient education materials.

*Utilize computer, printer, copying, autoclaves, ultrasonic units, operatory suction equipment, infection control materials, dental X-ray equipment and supplies, amalgamators, curing lights, and high and low speed dental hand pieces, etc.

At Temple, you will find it easy to fit in while staying true to yourself. We value what makes each employee unique and strive to maintain a culture of diversity and inclusion. As an employee, you will enjoy our collaborative team-based culture that values innovation and creativity.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of working at Temple University.

Required Education & Experience:

At least 1 year of experience as a Dental Assistant including some experience with oral surgery procedures. Dental Assisting training and certificate from an accredited school. Dental Radiology Certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. CPR Certification.

Required Skills & Abilities:

*Ability to obtain PA Child Abuse Clearances.

*Demonstrated knowledge of the standard and complex procedures performed in the clinics area of specialty.

*Demonstrated ability to provide chair-side assistance.

*Ability to utilize dental instruments, sterilizer, operatory equipment, infection control equipment, dental x-ray equipment, and all other standard dental equipment and instruments.

*Must be able to work with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, patients and other external contacts.

*Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and organizational and interpersonal skills.

*Demonstrated knowledge of dental terminology, procedures and diagnosis.

*Demonstrated ability to prioritize projects and tasks and to respond to multiple requests.

*Demonstrated ability to work with potential pathogens during dental assisting and sterilization procedures.

*Ability to provide dental assisting within the legal and ethical boundaries set forth by the state.

*Demonstrate lifelong learning.

*Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.

*Ability to adapt and preserver during times of change in circumstances.

*Demonstrate a personal commitment to providing strong customer service.

*Ability to transport/ assist patients in wheelchairs into operatories and departures as needed.

This position requires a background check.

This position requires Child Abuse Certifications prior to the commencement of service.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

In accordance with the City of Philadelphia's COVID-19 mandate, all Temple University students, faculty, staff, and contractors must be fully vaccinated before receiving authorization to work unless they have a medical or religious exemption approved by the University. An individual is only considered fully vaccinated two (2) weeks after receiving the 2nd shot of a primary two-dose vaccine or a single dose primary vaccine shot. Individuals who do not meet the University's vaccination or exemption requirement will be prohibited from working until proof of full vaccination, or an exemption is requested and approved. For more information, visit the University's Vaccines web page. Click here.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

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You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University's Campus Safety Services at 215-204-7900.