Dental Hygienist, RDH
Dental Hygienist, RDH
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1 Vacancy
Job Description
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 Mid-Rio Grande Valley of central New Mexico. Today we operate five (5) Community Health Centers and one (1) school-based clinic. We are currently recruiting for a Dental Hygienist RDH 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 open-door policy providing treatment regardless of an individuals income or insurance coverage. As a non-profit 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 community-centered organization we offer an excellent benefits package to include:
Benefits Offered
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Voluntary Life Insurance
- Identity Theft
- Retirement Savings -403(b)
- 10-20 days per service year (based on length of service)
- Sick Leave 64 hours per year
- 10 Paid holidays per year
- 40 hours of Educational Leave per year for full time employees
- $1500 per year for tuition reimbursement
A. POSITION SUMMARY
Under the general direction of the Dental Director the supervision of the Clinical Dental Supervisor the indirect supervision of each patients treating dentist and the administrative direction of the Health Center Manager the Dental Hygienist assesses patient needs and plans and delivers direct dental care and associated services to patients. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.
B. ESSENTAIL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures to include medical history review dental charting and perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required;
- Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures such as cleaning polishing expose/develop x-rays patient education application of sealants and fluorides and related procedures;
- Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education discharge planning and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist;
- Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests procedures and complex treatments;
- Makes impressions of patients teeth for study casts;
- Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results;
- Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients;
- Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients;
- Assists in preparation of patient care areas and in the patient admission transfer and discharge process as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception telephone calls routine triage and other office duties;
- Scrubs instruments and prepares them for autoclaving;
- Sanitizes and disinfects operatory sharpens instruments and restocks with necessary materials instruments and supplies;
- Writes prescriptions for endorsement by the dentist and calls them into pharmacy.
- Triages emergency patients for the dentist;
- Participate in site and organizational quality assurance and improvement;
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned;
C. MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelors or Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene;
- Two years of experience in a clinic or community health setting is preferred;
- Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred;
D. LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
- Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of New Mexico;
- NM Board Certified (Registered);
- Anesthesia License Board Certified;
- CPR certification required within 6 months of hire;
E. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Knowledge of Federal State and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services;
- Knowledge of patient screening charting and medical history procedures and documentation;
- Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental periodontic and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients;
- Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures;
- Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans
- Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel;
- Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines;
- Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures terminology and techniques;
- Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures;
- Knowledge of patient admission triage transfer and discharge procedures and documentation
- Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program. Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations;
F. AGE OF PATIENT SERVED
- Pediatric adolescent adult and geriatric
G. COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIRED
COVID-19 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.
- Physical Effort and Dexterity: Good dexterity to operate personal computer and dental and laboratory equipment. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear; stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly exposed to blood and blood-borne pathogens and/or physical risks
- Machines Tools Equipment: Capable of using dental instruments and equipment office machines and personal computers for word-processing and data retrieval and maintenance of electronic dental records.
- Visual Acuity Hearing and Speaking: Must be able to read results of computer monitor and outputs accurately. Must be able to see variations in oral structures that may be 0.1mm in size or smaller. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.
- 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 Monday-Friday although weekends may be required to meet deadlines.
Employment Type
Full-Time
