Registered Dental Assistant III

Choosing a career in community healthcare is highly rewarding. Come join a dynamic and diverse team at LifeLong Medical Care as a Registered Dental Assistant III (RDA III) working out of our Berkeley Dental site. The RDA III ensures the smooth flow of procedures performed by dental staff. Assists dentist in all phases of dentistry, including taking diagnostic intra-oral x-rays. Dental Assistant performs coronal polishing as part of prophylaxis. Registered Dental Assistant places Pit & Fissure Sealants.

This position is represented by SEIU-UHW. Salaries and benefits are set by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and an employee in this position must remain a member in good standing of SEIU-UHW, as defined in the CBA.

LifeLong Medical Care is a multi-site, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a rich history of providing innovative healthcare and social services to a wonderfully diverse patient community. Our patient-centered health home is a dynamic place to work, practice, and grow. We have over 15 primary care health centers and deliver integrated services including psychosocial, referrals, chronic disease management, dental, health education, home visits, and much, much more.

Benefits

Compensation: $29 - $33.62/hour. We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision (including dependent and domestic partner coverage), generous leave benefits including ten paid holidays, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) retirement savings plan.

Essential Functions

Performs basic supportive dental procedures as follows under the general supervision of licensed dentist(s):

• Assists dentist(s) chairside in all phases of dentistry.
• Manages patient behavior during treatment.
• Performs all Dental Assistant duties permitted in the State of California Dental Practice Act, including:
  • Operates dental radiographic equipment for the purpose of oral radiology; takes diagnostic quality x-rays, developing and mounting correctly as requested by the dentist(s) as often as needed.
  • Performs non-scaling prophylaxis and coronal polishing.
  • Applies topical fluoride varnish and/or gel.
  • Provides patients with oral hygiene and post-operative instructions following dental procedures.
  • Places pit and fissure sealants on permanent dentition.
• Documents treatment and patient information in dental software programs.
• Performs duties using mobile dental equipment.
• Adheres to all OSHA and regulatory sterilization, infection control, and protective barrier guidelines.
• Adheres to all HIPAA regulations in handling patient information.
• Works at non-home clinics as assigned.
• Performs other duties when assigned by the Dental Supervisor/Manager, Associate Clinical Dental Director, and Chief Dental Officer.

• Strong organizational, administrative and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to change.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to effectively present information verbally and in writing, including to patients, other employees, community partners, and vendors.
• Ability to seek direction from Dental Supervisor/Manager on essential matters while also working independently with limited supervision, using professional judgment and diplomacy.
• Ability to work as a team with professionals of different work styles and support needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to provide effective care to patients of diverse backgrounds in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to conduct oneself in external settings in a way that reflects positively on LifeLong Medical Care as an organization of professional, confident and sensitive staff.
• Ability to see how one’s work intersects with that of other LifeLong departments and partner organizations.
• Ability to make use of the knowledge, expertise, and connections of other staff.
• Creativity, maturity, and a proactive “can do” attitude.
• Ability to continuously “scan” the environment, identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for improvement.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an American Heart Association-approved organization.
• Completion of a Dental Board-certified Dental Assisting training program, with the following current and valid certifications for the State of California: Radiation Safety, Infection Control, Dental Practice Act, and Coronal Polishing.
• Ability to fulfill all Dental Assistant duties permitted by the State of California Dental Practice Act.
• Knowledge of all dental materials and equipment and ability to assist dentist(s) in their proper use.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to handwrite legibly on internal and external documentation.
• Access to reliable transportation with current auto insurance.
• Maintenance of proper hand hygiene, with fingernails no longer than 2mm over fingertips and only smooth, flat nail polish worn.
• Current Registered Dental Assistant license with Pit and Fissure Sealant certification.
• Maintenance of RDA licensure while employed.
• 5 years of clinical experience as a Registered Dental Assistant.
• Supervision of DA-I, RDA-I, and RDA-II team members at assigned dental clinic.
• Training of DA student interns and newly-hired DA and RDA team members during clinic hours.
• Supervision of office maintenance tasks assigned to DA and RDA team members.
• Tracking assigned dental clinic’s equipment and materials inventory and compiling ordering lists for purchase by Dental Supervisor/Manager.
• Tracking usability of office equipment and technology, placing internal and external maintenance requests, and liaising with maintenance and repair personnel.
• Communicating with Dental Supervisor/Manager to provide status updates on staff, inventory, equipment, and maintenance issues.
• Setting an example of leadership, high work ethic and attention to protocol for team members.
• Working in partnership with the Dental Supervisor/Manager and Associate Clinical Dental Director in developing great team morale.

Job Preferences

• Experience with Dentrix software system.
• Experience working with children.
• Willingness to take part in health fairs and other community events for the purpose of oral health education.