Job Description

Dental Assistant Training and on the Job (DATLOJ)

The Tania M. Barber Learning Institute at Caring Health Center is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications from interested candidates who wish to participate in its Training and learning on the Job (TLOJ) program for Dental Assistants. This is a 6-7 month, full-time, 40-hour per week paid learning opportunity.

As a Training and Learning on the Job Employee Learner, participants will have access to an accredited multifaceted dental assistant training curriculum, which is in-person and online and includes hands-on practice. In-residence faculty will engage participants in lectures and demonstrations on site. As part of the training curriculum, participants will also receive training and support with their ongoing professional development. Upon completing the program, participants will receive comprehensive education, preparation for the licensing exam, and support in achieving licensure to help them excel in a clinical practice setting. Additionally, participants will receive assistance in securing job placement in local community settings (e.g. health centers, laboratories and other community healthcare community settings).

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate.
• No prior professional or academic degrees earned (Associates/Bachelors/Masters)
• Candidates must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must not have previous experience as a dental assistant.
• Ability to learn and work accurately, independently, and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability for work full-time on-site, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm - Monday - Friday.
• Access to reliable transportation to move between the different Caring Health Center clinic locations including the Tania M. Barber Learning Institute (TMB LI) at 473 Sumner Avenue as needed and during the Clinical Learning Experience training.

Principle Responsibilities as a TMB Learning Institute TLOJ Employee- Learner

• This is an in person learning and engagement program. Ability to be on site for full time, 40 hours per week paid learning and training
• Ability to engage in an online learning platform to meet the didactic academic expectations
• Actively participate in a variety of on-site learning and engagement as a part of the TMB Learning Institute TLOJ program.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities offered by the Caring Health Center Human Resource (HR) Department and the Office for Workforce Development and Training (OWDT).
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and interest in independent learning.
• Contribute to a positive learning environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to participate in a collaborative learning process alongside a group of peer employee learners.
• Maintain clear communication with TMB LI, and Human Resources team members (respectively) regarding schedule and access needs.
• Care for CHC learning materials provided as a part of accessing your learning experience (e.g. laptop, headphones, and training materials).
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity in all aspects of engagement in the program, including involvement with CHC staff, vendors, patients, and other TLOJ participants.
• Maintain an organized and clean learning and working environment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required:

• To do detailed work using arms, hands, and fingers to handle and feel objects worked with.
• Intermittently is required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend and reach throughout the day.
• Good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity is needed.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, department perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be physically able to administer CPR.
• May have to lift up to 25 pounds.

Principle Responsibilities and Duties as a Dental Assistant:

• Assists dentist during examination and treatment of patients.
• Prepares patients for dental procedures, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists the dentist during dental procedures.
• Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
• Pours and trims study casts.
• Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Prepares dental supply orders as necessary anticipating needs of the clinic.
• Knowledgeable of dental office clinical equipment and individual maintenance/cleaning schedules for such equipment (autoclave, perio-pro, various low and high speed hand pieces, etc.).
• Provides post-operative instructions prescribed by the dentist.
• Records treatment information in patient records as directed by the dentist.
• Works as part of a team
• Perform tasks as asked by the Dental Practice Manager to ensure that the Clinic is operating efficiently.
• Instruct patient in oral hygiene
• Application of fluoride
• Expose dental diagnostic x-rays
• Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts
• Application of matrix bands