Dental Assistant II - On Call

## Dental Assistant I – On Call or Temporary Position

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center is seeking a Dental Assistant I to join our Dental Department in an on-call or temporary capacity. This is an hourly, non-exempt position that reports to the Dental Operations Manager.

### About Our Organization

We honor all members of our community and acknowledge the dignity of each person we serve. Our purpose is to provide high-quality, comprehensive primary health care to the communities of Washington and Yamhill counties with a special emphasis on migrant and seasonal farm workers and a view to removing barriers to health care. We strive to provide an environment that welcomes and values the people we employ and serve.

### The Role

The Dental Assistant I assists the dentist or dental hygienist in delivering quality patient care. You'll expose and process x-rays, manage the dental operatories, and perform patient intake duties. As a non-exempt employee, you may be called in on an as-needed basis to support our dental operations.

### What You'll Do

Your day-to-day responsibilities include assisting the dentist or dental hygienist in the transfer of instruments utilizing approved dental assisting principles, as well as assisting the operator in preparation and delivery of dental materials. You'll layout necessary instruments for procedures and expose, process, and duplicate x-rays when necessary, ensuring all x-rays are suitable for diagnosis.

Patient care is central to this role. You'll provide supportive care for patients throughout their appointments and manage the dental department's patient flow. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is critical—you'll keep the operatory neat and clean during procedures and disinfect it thoroughly before each patient arrives. You're responsible for properly maintaining hand pieces and ensuring that vacuum lines, units, chairs, lights, instruments, and try set ups are thoroughly disinfected and properly sterilized at all times.

You'll also manage inventory of dental supplies and order supplies as needed, providing administration with appropriate purchase orders. Restocking rooms is part of your regular duties, and you'll perform expanded function duties as necessary and work with the Dental Operations Coordinator on infection control and OSHA guidelines.

Handling protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is essential to this position. You will have access to the full dental chart, the full medical chart, all information in the practice management system, and all other billing and account information.

### What We're Looking For

You must be a high school graduate or equivalent. A Certificate of Radiology Proficiency is required. Previous dental assistant experience is preferred but not required if you're passionate about this work.

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, written and spoken, is preferred. You should demonstrate cultural sensitivity and the ability to relate to people of varied racial, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds. You're able to work independently as well as part of a professional team, and you're willing to support your team members to accomplish daily activities.

### Behavioral Competencies

We value these core competencies in our team members: accountability to role model our mission, vision, and shared values; customer-focus by listening to the voice of the customer and striving to delight them by exceeding expectations; teamwork by helping someone when they need it; initiative by being innovative, applying fresh ideas, and continuously improving how you do your work; confidentiality by maintaining strict confidentiality and respecting the privacy of others; ethical behavior by demonstrating integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters; respect by demonstrating consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients; and communication by demonstrating the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understanding the perspective of others.

### Physical Requirements

This position involves standing up to 85% of the time, walking up to 50% of the time, and sitting about 10% of the time. Computer use accounts for approximately 5% of the role. You'll need the ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs. You'll work in a well-lighted, ventilated environment but will have exposure to bloodborne pathogens and potentially hazardous chemicals.

### Immunization Requirement

Staff members must meet immunization requirements as stated in VGMHC's immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.

### Equal Opportunity

VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, bu…