Job Description

The Lead Orthodontic Assistant performs the full scope of Orthodontic Dental Assistant duties while serving as the clinical team's day-to-day point of contact and workflow coordinator. The majority of this role's time is spent delivering chairside patient care. In addition, the Lead Orthodontic Assistant coordinates daily chair assignments and clinical scheduling, trains and onboards new clinical team members, reviews and approves clinical timecards, oversees sterilization and infection control, and manages clinical supply inventory.

This position does not have direct staff management responsibilities. Any hiring decisions, performance issues, corrective action, or disciplinary matters will be escalated to the Practice Manager or Regional Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The following is a list of specific duties, which are essential functions of this job. The list is not exhaustive as all duties are subject to change. Note that while the practice may provide an addendum to this job description that outlines some responsibilities specific to the practice needs, it does not replace this job description. While an effort has been made to thoroughly describe the customary way this job is performed, reasonable accommodation will be made upon notification, for qualified individuals with disabilities who may not be able to perform the job in the manner indicated.

of Essential Job Functions:

Clinical Patient Care (primary function)

· Assist the orthodontist during procedures, including placing braces, adjusting wires, and delivering aligners, within the scope of practice permitted by the applicable state dental board for the employee's credential level and the required level of dentist supervision.

· Prepare and sterilize orthodontic instruments and equipment; monitor sterilizer function and maintain spore testing and monitoring logs.

· Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances, such as retainers and space maintainers, under the orthodontist's direction.

· Remove braces, wires, and bands as needed.

· Take digital radiographs, photographs, and diagnostic records for treatment assessment, where permitted by state credentialing requirements.

· Prepare tray setups for orthodontic procedures and ensure proper supply management at each chair.

· Maintain accurate patient records, chart treatment progress, and enter clinical documentation timely and accurately in the practice management system.

· Educate patients on general oral health and on oral hygiene techniques specific to orthodontic care, as directed by the orthodontist.

· Maintain cleanliness and infection control standards in each operatory.

Team Coordination and Training

· Coordinate daily chair assignments and clinical staff scheduling to match provider schedules and patient volume, adjusting assignments as the schedule changes throughout the day.

· Coordinate clinical time-off and coverage requests, escalating conflicts and approval decisions to the Practice Manager.

· Serve as the first point of contact for clinical staff questions regarding procedures, protocols, systems, and day-to-day operations.

· Train and onboard new orthodontic assistants, deliver clinical orientation, and verify completion of training checklists and clinical competency sign-offs.

· Maintain clinical standard operating procedures, tray setup standards, and checklists.

· Ensure clinical team members receive all meal and rest periods required by applicable state law and BOND policy, and arrange chair coverage so those periods can be taken.

· Never direct, encourage, or permit a clinical team member to work off the clock, work through a required meal or rest period, or record time inaccurately.

· Promptly report any staffing, performance, conduct, attendance, safety, or harassment concern to the Practice Manager or Regional Manager. This position does not issue corrective action, conduct performance reviews, or make hiring, discipline, or termination decisions.

· Attend, participate in, and may lead clinical huddles, office meetings, and continuing education events.

Timekeeping, Compliance, and Administrative

· Review clinical staff timecards daily for accuracy and approve them in accordance with payroll cutoffs.

· Report missed punches, unrecorded breaks, and timecard discrepancies to the Practice Manager promptly. Recorded time may only be corrected to fix a documented error, and only with the employee's knowledge.

· Serve as clinical OSHA and infection control coordinator for the practice, including maintaining the exposure control plan, safety data sheets, personal protective equipment stock, and required logs, in coordination with the Practice Manager.

· Assist in managing and maintaining the orthodontic supply inventory; order clinical supplies within approved budget and vendor guidelines.

· Monitor and inspect clinical areas, equipment, and sterilization processes to ensure safety, and coordinate equipment service and repair.

· Ensure compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations, including HIPAA, OSHA, the ADA, and state dental board requirements.

· Demonstrate strong teamwork with the practice team, BOND support departments, BOND Leadership, and the doctor to support great patient and employee experiences.

· Stay current with advancements in orthodontics and maintain all required certifications.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Licensure, Certification, and Scope of Practice

· Must hold and maintain at all times every license, permit, registration, and certification required by the dental board or other regulatory authority of the state in which the employee works, including any credential required to expose radiographs or to perform expanded, delegated, or orthodontic-specific functions.

· Credentialing requirements differ by state. The employee is responsible for knowing and complying with the requirements applicable to their assigned location, and must provide proof of current credentials at hire and upon each renewal.

· Must perform only those functions permitted by state law and board regulation for the employee's credential level and the applicable level of dentist supervision. The employee may not perform, and may not assign or direct another team member to perform, any function outside that scope.

· Must immediately report to the Practice Manager any lapse, expiration, suspension, restriction, or loss of a required credential. The employee may be removed from duties requiring that credential until it is restored.

· Must maintain current BLS/CPR certification where required by state law or BOND policy.

Knowledge and Skills:

· Minimum of 2 years of chairside orthodontic assisting experience required

· 1 year of experience training or mentoring clinical staff strongly preferred

· Demonstrated proficiency in orthodontic clinical procedures, sterilization and infection control, digital imaging, and practice management software

· Self-directed, highly motivated individual who works well independently and collaborates with a team

· Organized, detail oriented, multi-tasker with the ability to reprioritize in a fast-paced environment

· Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and a clear sense of when to escalate

· Communicates effectively and professionally in all situations with varying personalities of patients, parents and guardians, staff members, doctors, and the BOND team

· Maintains confidentiality of employee and patient information

Work Environment

This job operates in a clinical orthodontic practice and professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard clinical and office equipment, including computers, phones, digital imaging equipment, handpieces, and sterilizers. Moderate noise levels from dental and office equipment are expected.

This position involves reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials. The employee must use required personal protective equipment and follow the practice exposure control plan at all times. Occasional travel by car may be required to pick up supplies, attend continuing education or seminars, or provide coverage at another practice location.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

· Most of the workday is spent providing chairside patient care. Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time and move between operatories throughout the day.

· Frequent repetitive use of the hands, wrists, and fingers, with fine motor control sufficient to manipulate small orthodontic instruments, brackets, wires, and appliances.

· Near vision sufficient to see fine detail at close range within the oral cavity, and to read computer screens and clinical documentation.

· Must be able to bend, reach, twist, and maintain a seated chairside posture for extended periods.

· Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 25 lbs. on a regular basis.

· Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate clearly with patients, providers, and team members, including while wearing a mask.

· Must be comfortable working around blood and unpleasant smells and able to maintain a professional demeanor and attitude while doing so.

· Regular, consistent, and punctual attendance in accordance with the assigned schedule is an essential function of this position, because patient care and clinical chair coverage depend on it.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, non-exempt position paid on an hourly basis. Generally, days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or as determined at the practice. Hours vary based on the doctor's clinical schedule and may include occasional early, late, or Saturday hours. All hours worked must be recorded accurately. Overtime must be approved in advance by the Practice Manager and will be paid in accordance with federal and state law.

HIPAA & THE MINIMUM NECESSARY STANDARD

The Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all protected health information (PHI) whether electronic, written or oral to which he/she may be exposed either during the course of their duties or the result of an incidental disclosure. In accordance with the minimum necessary standard, the employee may only access PHI to perform the job as a Lead Orthodontic Assistant.

· View, create, add, and modify all clinical and demographic protected health information.

· Disclose clinical and/or demographic protected health information for the purpose of patient treatment, healthcare operations and/or payment for services.

· Disclose all protected health information for any authorized purpose.

· The minimum necessary standard must be applied in all matters and shall continue privacy protection during non-working hours and after employment is no longer with the company.

Compensation is $28 to $31 per hour.