Job Description

Job Title: Dental Hygienist

Department: Dental

Reports To: Dental Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Wage Range that the Company Expects to Pay: $60.00 - $66.15 per hour

Under the general supervision of the Dental Director, the Dental Hygienist will be responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients of the health center. The Registered Dental Hygienist will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information to individuals and groups.

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff's desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, be cooperative, organized, and enthusiastic at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice.

Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients.

Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.

Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.

Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.

Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center’s clinical protocols.

Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.

Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations.

Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.

Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.

Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.

Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.

Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits.

Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated material in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations.

Travels when necessary to meet operational needs.

As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.

Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.

Ability to work with high volume of patients, internal/external customers, and deal with frequent changes, delay or unexpected events.

Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, inclusive of infection control rules and regulations.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics).

Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence with patients.

Maintains and adheres to HIPAA, employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene. A current, valid, and unrestricted license to practice Oral Hygiene in the State of California.

Requires a comprehensive knowledge of oral hygiene care in out patient settings. Knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care is necessary.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization. Bilingual in English and another language is preferred, but not required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding is required. Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills are required. Working knowledge of EHR is required. Experience in Athena is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of current, valid, unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) required. Possess and maintain a current, valid, unrestricted license to practice Oral Hygiene in the State of California. A current CPR (BLS-C) card is required. Must obtain a valid CPR card within the first 30 days of employment if not certified at the time of hire. CHC’s CPR Policy will supersede this job description.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen upon hire. Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season. Health screening requirements are subject to change based on CDC recommendations and federal, state, and/or local public health ordinances.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have read and understand my job description:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.