Clinical Assistant - Dental Clinic

Provide sterile processing of dental instruments, decontamination and set-up of

dental treatment rooms. Provides assistance to dental students, dental therapy students, faculty and/or

licensed dental staff in services rendered to patients.


• JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

A. REPORTS TO: Dental Clinic Director, Clinic Manager

B. SUPERVISES: Does not supervise.

C. INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH: Dentists, Instructors, Hygienists, Assistants,

Students, Office staff, patients of the Dental Clinic.


• HOURS OF WORK: Generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as needed.


• DRESS CODE: Scrubs, protective clothing/equipment.


• ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK (Minimum qualifications necessary to

function at full productivity).

A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High school graduate. Dental Assistant

coursework, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or

equivalent preferred. Current CPR certification.

B. EXPERIENCE: Experience in a dental office or medical facility are preferred

qualifications.

C. JOB KNOWLEDGE (Specific): Medical and dental terminology knowledge.

Infection control practices and OSHA regulations. Ability to learn new skills and

work as a team.


• BUDGET: Work in a cost efficient manner.


• CLIENTELE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY JOB: Patients, co-workers, students, residents and faculty


• PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB: Need for constant alertness to client/patient/employee

needs and/or potential problem areas. Occasional lifting and bending. Must be able to stand or sit for

long periods of time. Must have good manual dexterity for sorting instruments or mixing materials.


• PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB: Clean, well lighted, quiet, clinic type environment.

Some noise associated with dental equipment. Exposure to blood and body fluids.


• EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES USED ON THE JOB: Dental sterilization equipment. Office

equipment: computer, fax, copier, scanner, etc.


• MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

A. JUDGMENT AND INITIATIVE: Perform routine duties following prescribed

patient care protocols and procedures. Responsible for understanding and

responding appropriately to emergencies (CPR).

B. INDEPENDENT ACTION: Provide sterile processing of dental instruments.

Provides chair side assistance to dental students and dentists during examinations

and operations, maintaining a clear operative field.

C. EFFECT OF ERROR: Potential client harm or disruption of operations.

D. CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Dentists and dental students, dental hygiene

students, patients, staff, and other health care providers.


• PRINCIPLE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS, AND AUTHORITIES:

A. RESPONSIBILITY: Sterile Instrument processing, operatory set up,

infection control

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 45% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Comply with the most current infection control recommendations, guidelines,

precautions, procedures, practices, strategies, and techniques

2.Sterilize instruments including cleaning, wrapping and autoclaving

3. Decontaminate and prepare operatories using current infection control

techniques.

4. Arranges instruments and set-ups, and prepares dental materials for treatment

procedure.

5. Maintains supplies, equipment and clinic cleanliness.

B. RESPONSIBILITY: Assist licensed dental staff chair side

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 40% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

Performs patient care activities within the scope of practice of a dental assistant

without a license or permit.

1. Perform all those duties not directly related with performing dental treatment

on patients.

2. Retract a patient's cheek, tongue, or other parts of tissue during a dental

operation.

3. Assist with the placement or removal of a rubber dam and accessories used

for its placement and retention, as directed by an operating dentist during the

course of a dental operation.

4. Remove debris by the use of vacuum devices, compressed air, mouthwash, and

water that is normally created or accumulated during the course of treatment

rendered by a licensed dentist.

5. Provide any assistance, including the placement of medication in a patient's oral

cavity, under the specific direction of a licensed dentist who is physically

engaged in performing a dental operation and who is physically in a position to

give personal supervision to the assistant.

6. Aid dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants in the performance of their

duties.

7. Apply fluoride varnish in a community setting under the authorization and

direction of a licensed dentist as long as the licensed dentist authorizing the

service of fluoride varnish maintains appropriate patient records of the treatment.

8. Maintain current CPR certification.

9. Maintain licensure CMA, LPN, etc. as applicable.

10. Other duties as assigned.

C. RESPONSIBILITY: Patient and Student Education

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 5% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Assist dentists and students to establish a professional environment by providing

positive support to patients.

2. Orients students and demonstrates procedures and proper utilization of

materials, techniques, and infection control protocol to dental and dental

hygiene students.

3. Help patients develop and maintain good oral health.

4. Explain the relationship between diet and oral health.

5. Explain how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their

teeth.

6. Use models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.

D. RESPONSIBILITY: Support Activities

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 5% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

6. Support office staff in requesting records and appointment schedule.

7. Maintain and order dental supplies as needed.

E. RESPONSIBILITY: Serves on internal and external Rice

committees as assigned.

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 5% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Participates in other internal or external committees as assigned.

F. RESPONSIBILITY: Service Excellence

TASKS:

1. Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the Service Excellence philosophy by

adhering to behaviors outlined in Rice's "Standards of Excellence".

G. RESPONSIBILITY: Continuous Quality Improvement

TASKS:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the CQI philosophy.

a. Participate in CQI training activities or CQI teams if appropriate.

b. Demonstrate sensitivity to customers and their needs.

c. Interacts appropriately with internal customers, i.e. coworkers

within department, staff across departments.

d. Interact appropriately with external customers, i.e. patients,

families, medical staff, vendors.

e. Role model positive behaviors.

H. RESPONSIBILITY: Safety

TASKS:

1. Maintain and promote a safe environment for all patients, visitors and

employees.

2. Consistently follow all policies, practices and work rules.

3. Do not use shortcuts or work-a-rounds that may reduce safety or

increase risk.

4. Stay alert, act responsibly and use common sense to reduce risks.

5. Report actual events and good catches as soon as possible.

6. Eliminate hazards and identify and report unsafe systems.

7. Complete all mandatory safety education and attend safety sessions.

8. Review and understand the Safety Program as identified on RiceNet.

9. Seek answers to questions you have about the Safety Program.

10. Develop appropriate infection control policies, procedures and

practices for the Clinic in cooperation with the Rice Infection Control

Nurse.

Written: 06/19/18