Lead Dental assistant

Hope Healthcare Services – Dental Clinic

Hope Healthcare Services, a Christian ministry providing medical and dental services to individuals and families who do not have medical or dental insurance of any kind, is seeking to add paid staff dental professionals to augment the work of licensed volunteers currently serving.  

Lead Dental Assistant – Qualifications

Qualifying Competencies

  • Demonstrates solid reliability/reputation as an employee.

  • Possess the knowledge of modern dental office equipment, systems, and procedures required to fulfill this position.

  • Possess knowledge of routine radiographic interpretation, radiation safety and troubleshooting techniques

  • Understanding of health and safety regulations, including OSHA, HIPAA Privacy and Security, EPA regulations as they apply to daily dental assisting tasks.

  • Possesses the verbal skill set necessary to effectively communicate with patients, providers, volunteers, employees, and other members of the dental office, and embraces continuous practice and improvement of these skills.

  • Possesses the communication judgement necessary for conflict and supervisory management.

  • Demonstrates attention to details, particularly in situations involving patient care and employee safety.

  • Strong ability to prioritize tasks and make sound operational judgments to ensure clinic operation flow.

  • Willingness to seek professional development and training in areas of weakness.

Position Requirements

  • Must demonstrate at least 3 years of experience as a trained dental assistant.

  • Must possess a current dental radiography license, issued by ISDH.

  • Must possess (or quickly attain) a current CPR Provider (BLS) Certificate

  • Must possess knowledge of routine clinical procedures and common dental instruments involved.

  • Must have experience of sterilization methods and infection control/aseptic techniques.

  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.

  • Ability to perform basic computer skills necessary for dental operations.

  • Experience as an expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) (preferred)

Hope Healthcare Services - Dental Clinic

Job Title:  Lead Dental Assistant 

Supervisor: Director of Clinic Services

Working Hours: Part time Fridays 7:30am – 4:30pm; (Or 1-2 days per week)

Summary of Responsibilities

Maintain operation flow of the dental clinic through team collaboration and in accordance with the ongoing developments/changes which occur within general office operations.  The Lead Dental Assistant is expected to possess the necessary qualifications and skills set to perform the job duties as outlined below.  At predetermined times, the lead dental assistant will serve as a clinical preceptor for volunteer dental professionals who are offering their services periodically. 

Lead Dental Assistant’s Role in the Dental Clinic Operations

  • Oversees and prioritizes the routine dental clinic operations, including dental operatory set-up/breakdown, tray set-up/breakdown, sterilization operations, and patient communications as deemed necessary.

  • Covers dental assisting duties when/where necessary, including but not limited to, serving at chairside, front office operations, sterilization operations, and all other aspects of dental assisting duties.

  • Commits to working hours of dental operations, filling gaps in the dental operations when necessary, including “filling in” for call-offs and absences of dental staff and/or volunteers.

  • Oversees volunteers as described above.

  • Directly/indirectly oversees new employees and/or volunteer acclimation.

  • Ensures the safety of dental patients, staff, and volunteers through the careful attention of maintaining equipment and operational asepsis control. 

  • Maintains consistent compliance with HIPAA Privacy and Security Standards, OSHA, and State EPA regulations. 

  • Provides recommendations for product ordering and inventory control of the dental clinic to the Director of Clinic Services. 

  • Maintains commitment to the dental profession through continuing education and/or training, particularly in areas of knowledge weakness and/or industry enlightenment.

  • Upholds the dental assisting creed and industry standards of conduct and business acumen in conjunction with Hope’s expectations of employees throughout daily duties and through professional development.

  • Maintains and supports a positive environment for dental staff, Hope employees and volunteers, patients and guests.

Lead Dental Assistant’s Role with Volunteers

  • Assist the volunteers in achieving the dental clinic’s mission and objectives. 

  • Assume responsibility for determining which (real-time) experiences are appropriate for volunteer involvement, ensuring pleasant volunteer experience. 

  • Assume responsibility and supervision of the volunteer’s practice of “autonomy” to ensure continuity of Hope’s mission and operations.

  • Maintains communication with the volunteer and the Director of Clinic Services as agreed.

  • Provides guidance to the volunteers as needed and within scope of professional knowledge.

  • Participates with Hope’s directors and employees in evaluation of the volunteer’s performance in the clinical setting, providing remediation assistance when needed. 

  • Reports volunteer issues through communication with the Director of Clinic Services.

Summary - Lead Dental Assistant 

The Lead Dental Assistant will provide oversight to the daily operations of Hope Healthcare’s dental services, under the supervision and direction of the Director of Clinic Services and Executive Director.  As a leader in this organization, all attitudes, actions, and behaviors have a direct impact on the clinic’s environment and the perceptions of their quality of service. Interaction with patients, providers, volunteers, students, and other employees must remain professional and in a manner that is friendly, understanding, courteous, respectful, and dignified. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of teamwork that is congruent with Hope’s mission and culture of positive relations. 

Note: This job description will change as needed to fulfill the mission of Hope Healthcare. The person assigned to this position will be notified. This description serves as a high-level overview of the above position. Other duties will be assigned as business needs arise. 

For an application, please email Executive Director Cliff Sweazey at ces@myhopehealth.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.