MyCHN is a nonprofit organization providing Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, and Pharmacy services to communities in the South Houston and Gulf Coast area. We were founded in 2008 with one provider, three exam rooms and a big dream. Today, we have over 100 providers and more than 15 locations. MyCHN’s mission is to “provide quality care that uplifts, supports, and shapes healthy communities while addressing financial and social barriers”.

Job Summary:

The Registered Dental Assistant is responsible for assisting the dentist and dental hygienist in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of the health center. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies. The Registered Dental Assistant is committed to ensuring a positive patient experience and following PCMH guidelines and principles.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions, and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist Serves as dentist’s chair-side assistant/prepares operatory for patient treatment
• Exposes and develops dental radiographs and performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulations and law
• Maintains dental department equipment and work areas in compliance with health center policies and procedures relative to infection control and safety issues, including the sterilization of all reusable dental instruments and equipment and the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials
• Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list for inventory control and ordering purposes
• Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and as time permits
• As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organization goals and objectives
• Comprehensive knowledge of dental assisting techniques and procedures for all phases of general dentistry
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, concisely with others, consistently demonstrate positive/proactive customer service attitude
• Consistently maintains ethical behaviors exemplary of quality public service and fair standards, inclusively, among all employees and members of the public
• Must be cognizant of the expectations and concerns of the health center’s dental patients and be able to respond in an empathetic and professional manner
• Follow guidelines for patient preparation and dismissal according to Dental Department policy and protocol
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law and Dental Department directive and protocol
• Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s directions and Dental Department policy and protocol
• Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues
• Maintains a list of all Dental Department patients, monitors patient flow, and assists the Dental Director, dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in assuring that all patient records and documents, including encounter forms and routing slips, are properly and accurately completed and filed
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department
• Insures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive and protocol
• Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, center policy as well as state and federal regulation(s)
• Performs all functions in full compliance with the Center’s and the Dental Department Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions
• May be asked to perform other duties that align with CHN’s mission, including but not limited to participation on clinical committees, providing education,
• Quality Review and/or other activities on or off sites
• Responsible for personal compliance in full, with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures including but not limited to the participation of a Dental Assistant in the provision of clinical dental care, as well as those relating to, but not limited to personnel issues, workplace safety, public health, and confidentiality

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Skill in providing excellent customer service and support; organizing and prioritizing workload
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, education, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds
• Ability to work as an effective team member; function independently, exercise sound judgment and initiative; be flexible to shift priorities; maintain confidentiality; establish and maintain effective interpersonal work relationships, effectively assist providers; work toward goals and objectives of draft priorities
• Ability to receive constructive feedback including evaluation of provider’s productivity and practice attributes
• High ethical standards
• Well-organized and self-directed
• Team player
• Ability to relate to people at all levels in the organization
• Good communication skills
• Consumer advocate for quality health and dental care and services
• Ability to handle multiple projects at the same time and to prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols.
• Ability to operate computer, copier, and fax machine
• Ability to perform each position
• responsibility satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position
• Ability to understand that safety is a condition of employment. Unsafe acts or conditions will be reported to the Clinical Dental Supervisor
• Must be willing to travel between CHN health centers
• Must be willing to work evening hours and weekends if necessary

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Completion of accredited course in dental assisting
• Registered Dental Assistant licensure
• Current CPR/BLS
• Current Radiology Certification

Preferred Education and Experience:

• None

Supervision Responsibilities:

• None

Physical Requirements

• Frequently required to sit, talk, and stand
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific frequently vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision, Color vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception , and Ability to adjust focus

Work Environment:

• BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE LEVEL: 1 (HIGH)
• Noise Level: Moderate

Benefits:    

• Health Insurance with the employee monthly premium paid 100% by MyCHN
• Dental Insurance with the employee monthly premium paid 100% by MyCHN
• 401 (k) with up to 4% company matching
• Paid Time Off accrues 128 hours the first year. The amount accrued increases as years of service increases.
• Sick Time of 40 hours per year
• Personal Time/Birthday of 8 hours per year
• $15,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage paid by MyCHN
• Continuing Education Stipend of $200/year
• Continuing Education of 40 hours
• Referral Bonus
• Flexible schedules
• High opportunity for growth
• Other benefits offered: Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, etc.