Chairside Assistant

Private dental practice is seeking an experienced Chairside Assistant. RDA preferred. Position is full time (four day workweek) and includes paid holidays, vacation, and sick time; 401k (with match and profit sharing); discount on dental services; paid training; uniform allowance.

Our practice is small, friendly and busy! We pride ourselves on making our patients feel welcome and comfortable. Our ideal candidate is reliable, energetic and able to work in a fast paced environment while maintaining a calm and compassionate attitude toward our patients. Prior experience assisting in a chart-less office is a plus. Up-to-date OSHA, HIPAA and BLS certification required.

We check references. All offers of employment are contingent upon background check.

Chairside Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

• Greeting patients and escort them to the treatment room
• Gathering patient information and health background: verify that health history and other required forms are up to date; ask patients to complete as necessary
• Perform 4-handed dentistry: Assisting dentist by handing him instruments and equipment, taking notes when needed, charting as needed
• Providing patient care and support during dental procedures
• Preparing the work area for procedures, cleaning the work area after procedures
• Clean and sterilize instruments; maintain sterilization area.
• Prepare instrument trays, and necessary supplies for daily patient schedule
• Preparing materials for crowns or dental impressions.
• Educating patients on good oral hygiene habits
• Stocking treatment areas and monitoring inventory
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by supervisor

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Willingness and ability to be a strong team member and display a positive attitude: ability to maintain outgoing, friendly attitude with patients and staff under pressure
• Exceptional human relations skills of compassion and care
• Ability to work with interruptions and to manage multiple priorities well .
• Ability to work at a fast pace, and be flexible with change
• Follows direction of dentist, but is self-motivated and anticipates dentist and patient needs
• Acquire understanding of dental software
• Accurate and precise attention to detail
• Acquire an excellent understanding of dental procedures
• Ability to speak and use dental/medical terminology correctly
• Knowledge of aseptic and sterilization techniques
• Complies with all regulations, protocols, and procedures (OSHA, HIPAA)
• Maintain current certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• Seeks additional learning opportunities by attending seminars and training workshops

Minimum Physical Expectations:

Physical activity that often requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and/or twisting.       

1. Physical activity that sometimes requires lifting, pushing and/or pulling up to 25 lbs.
2. Physical activity that sometimes requires keyboarding, filing and phone work.
3. Physical activity that sometimes requires time working on a computer.
4. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust and focus. 
5. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard and manipulate hand-held instruments for highly detailed work.
6. Must hear and speak well enough to conduct business over the telephone or face to face for long periods of time in English.

Minimum Environmental Expectations:

This job operates in a dental setting and requires significant interaction with people, which can be stressful at times.  Physical activity that often requires exposure to radioactive materials used for x-rays and sometimes requires exposure to loud noises that do not require ear plugs.  Physical activity that may require exposure to hazardous materials involved in a dental practice, including nitrous oxide and blood borne pathogens.