Dental Assistant I

For more than 50 years First Choice Community Healthcare has provided access to high quality primary medical dental and behavioral healthcare to the underserved populations of the MidRio Grande Valley of central New Mexico. Today we operate seven 7 Community Health Centers and one 1 schoolbased clinic. We are currently recruiting for a Dental Assistant to join our team and assist in fulfilling our organizations mission which is to improve the health life skills and wellbeing of all members of the communities we serve. Our health centers maintain an opendoor policy providing treatment regardless of an individuals income or insurance coverage. As a nonprofit organization First Choice is a vital community resource in Central New Mexico. Not only does our organization provide the highest quality comprehensive medical services but we also address our patients emotional social and cultural needs.

In addition to serving a communitycentered organization we offer an excellent benefits package to include:

Benefits Offered

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Identity Theft
• Retirement Savings 403(b)
• 1020 days per service year (based on length of service)
• Sick Leave 64 hours per year (unused rolls over each year into Long Term Sick Leave)
• Long Term Sick Leave 40 hours per year
• 10 Paid holidays per year
• 40 hours of Educational Leave per year for full time employees
• $700 per year for tuition reimbursement

A. Position Summary

Under general supervision provides a range of clinical administrative and staff support to a fullrange dental services operation. Assists in the performance of dental and radiography procedures; prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocol procedures policies and standards and assists in the coordination of daytoday patient administration records management and office support activities.

B. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides chair side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures to include operative preventive periodontal endodontic prosthetic and/or oral surgical procedures.
2. Prepares sterilizes organizes and sets up dental equipment ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned dated and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards.
3. Monitors and maintains dental equipment such as compressors evacuator systems radiographic developing equipment sterilizers and light curing units in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.
4. Exposes and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
5. Follows and maintains all relevant federal state and institutional regulations guidelines policies and standards for the provision of dental clinical services.
6. Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies.
7. Interacts with and processes dental clinic patients; performs telephone triage conducts patient interviews and obtains prior approvals from third party payors.
8. Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures.
9. Prepares instruments for sterilization and storage in trays.
10. Educates patients based on a sound knowledge of prevention and control of oral diseases; uses various teaching aids to effectively present the information to patients.
11. Inventories and orders materials and supplies for the dental clinic.
12. Contacts patients by telephone for return visits.
13. Takes and pours up dental impressions under direction of a dentist.
14. Performs miscellaneous jobrelated duties as assigned.

C. MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. High School graduate or GED certificate required.
2. Graduation from an ADA recognized certificate program is preferred.
3. Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.
4. Work experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is strongly preferred.

D. LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

1. Active license from NM Board of Dental Healthcare with certification required in:
2. Dental Radiography
3. CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained.

E. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment.
2. Current knowledge of and ability to follow a full range of dental clinical procedures and protocols.
3. Knowledge of Federal State and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
4. Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
5. Knowledge of sterile procedures.
6. Ability to operate maintains and troubleshoots a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards.
7. Ability to expose and process dental radiographs.
8. Knowledge of radiation safety procedures standards and protocols.
9. Knowledge of supplies equipment and/or services ordering and inventory control. Interviewing skills.
10. Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
11. Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
12. Records maintenance skills.
13. Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program. Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations.

F. Age of Patients Served

1. Adult geriatric adolescent pediatric

G. COVID19 VACCINE REQUIRED

COVID19 Vaccination required as a condition of employment. Individuals with medical issues or religious beliefs that prevent them from getting the vaccine may request an exemption from the vaccine requirement at the time an offer is delivered.

H. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

A person in this position has sufficient time to complete most tasks although under pressure depending on patient and organization demands. There are frequent opportunities to relax from any physical exertion or to change position in work activities.

1. Physical Effort and Dexterity: Good dexterity to operate personal computer and basic medical and laboratory equipment. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of averageweight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four 4 hours per day.
2. Machines Tools Equipment required to be operated: Capable of using medical equipment office machines and personal computers for word processing data entry and retrieval.
3. Visual Acuity Hearing and Speaking: Must be able to read computer monitor output and results of basic medical tests accurately. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.
4. Environment/Working Conditions: Work is mostly inside a clinic in a controlled environment. Normal clinic safety precautions and practices are required. Position may require travel throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Work regularly scheduled MondayFriday although weekends may be required to meet deadlines.