Position Summary Information
Primary Purpose
Under the general supervision of the PHCC Clinic Manager and Attending Dentist, this position assists faculty in all clinical aspects of patient care and treatment within both university and mobile dental clinic environments. The Registered Dental Assistant ( RDA) provides chairside assistance, demonstrates and instructs concepts of four-handed dentistry, supports sterilization and infection control, performs radiographic procedures, provides patient care support, outreach coordination, and administrative functions within pediatric and mobile dental clinic settings. The RDA must be adaptable, organized, and comfortable working in both traditional academic settings and community-based outreach locations.
University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.
Essential Functions
- Instruct and apply principles of efficient, and effective clinical procedures utilizing appropriate teamwork in a clinical setting:
- Ergonomics
- Injury prevention
- Instrument Transfers
- Dental team positioning
- Organization/work simplification
- Infection control
- Patient and professional communication
- Instruct students with the use of electronic patient health records to include patient presentation worksheet, treatment plan/options/fees and preventive instruction and intervention.
- Evaluate and grade student’s preparedness and proficiency working with all patients. Utilize one-on-one demonstrations, immediate feedback/corrections and faculty collaboration for daily electronic student performance evaluations.
- Support the Humanistic Values of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.
- Conduct Mobile Clinic and chair side orientations, training of new staff, and assist in orientation of new faculty.
- Perform outreach responsibilities which result in a positive impact upon the student/clinical experience to include the following:
- Initiate and coordinate a minimum of two pre-approved outreach events per year to pediatric populations of not less than 15 participants.
- Initiate minimum of 1 new outreach opportunity/contact per year.
- work in tandem with Student Community Outreach for Public Education ( SCOPE) for outreach events.
- Provide summary of event, including contact person, role in event/organization, program evaluation, number of patients and ages reached, and potential impact on clinic, measurement used (i.e. increased patients, contacts made, relationship established with measurable outcomes, etc.) to Chairperson and Clinic Manager.
- Efforts made to partner with outside agencies to garner financial and logistic support for outreach activities.
- Perform teaching/training to include:
- Partner with other departments/schools (i.e. Physical Therapy School, CDE) to provide enhanced knowledge and experience with ergonomic issues related to the dental professionals.
- Assist with Just-in-Time Learning Videos.
- Maintain a current knowledge base around ergonomics and enhance materials based on the information.
- Assist with all patients, monitor patient vital signs, assist with special needs and medically compromised patients.
- Provide chairside dental assisting duties as needed for faculty doctors in the Pediatric Clinic and/or in the operating room setting.
- Perform RDA functions and tasks at the PHCC, and ASC as needed, when the mobile clinic is not in use
- Perform all other duties as assigned by the Clinic Manager and/or his/her designee
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current RDA license
- Current California X-ray license
- Current CPR certification
- Minimum three (3) years of chairside dental assisting experience in a private practice or dental clinic setting
- Minimum one (1) year of experience working in a pediatric dental environment
- Minimum one (1) year of experience providing patient education regarding dental procedures and oral health care
Preferred Qualifications
- Teaching experience as a dental assistant desirable
- Experience coordinating and conducting community outreach programs
- Experience providing training, instruction, or mentoring to students, staff, or colleagues in a clinical environment
- Ability to explain pediatric procedures and four-handed dentistry principles
- Ability to work effectively with children
- Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and the public
- Monitor dental student performance and provide objective evaluations
- Follow verbal and written instructions
- Project a professional image
- Function as a team member in a professional manner with co-workers and faculty in a busy clinical setting
- Set guidelines with appropriate follow-through with dental students and patients
- Bilingual (e.g., Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin)
- Current CDA license desirable
- Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting
- Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Position requires alternate walking, standing, and sitting.
2. May require standing for long periods of time dependent upon patient/clinic needs.
3. Frequent reaching and handling of dental instruments.
4. May be requested to assist with temporary physical restraint of patients in emergency situations.
5. Occasional pushing, pulling; occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
Hiring Range
$22.68 - $30.04 per hour We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Background Check Statement
All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.
AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.
Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement
University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.
