Dental Assistant

Sr. Dental Assistant

The Department of Surgery, Oral & Maxillofacial is currently seeking a Sr. Dental Assistant to work Full Time in Miami. The Sr. Dental Assistant oversees and supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment rooms, patients, instruments, and materials. Moreover, the Sr. Dental Assistant assists Dentists during procedures, and performs minor procedures as permitted by the Dental Practice Act.

Core Job Functions

• Makes provisions to ensure patients are welcomed, comforted, and seated.
• Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area.
• Provides materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth.
• Provides diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies.
• Pours, trims, and polishes study casts, and cleans and polishes removable appliances.
• Fabricating temporary restorations and taking impressions / intraoral scans.
• Maintains emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Documents dental care services by charting in patients' records.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control protocols.
• Ensures proper operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, troubleshooting malfunctions, and coordinating repairs.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies, placing, and expediting orders, and verifying receipt of supplies.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

Education: Associate degree or Technical Certificate (CDA or Expanded Functions)

Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
• Commitment to the University's core values.
• Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.

Department Addendum

Obtains vital signs and patient information for inclusion in the patient's medical record. Prepares exam room for examination. Assists with physical examinations by preparing supplies and handling instruments/materials to the doctor as directed. Assist all dental and surgical providers with all in-office procedures, set up, instrumentation, kits, and any other needs as required of the procedure being performed. Provides patients with basic instructions and information regarding examination / procedures. Cleans and sterilizes instruments; observes the principles of sterile technique in performing duties. Timely turn over for rooms to expedite care and efficiency. Cleans all patient room surfaces in accordance to UHealth's infection control and patient safety guidelines. Perform basic dental imaging, handle imaging devices such as X-ray machines (static and portable), 3D scanners, etc. Adequately process surgical specimens collection and oversee lab pick-up. Maintain integrity of all department/division logs (E.g., dental lab logs, specimen logs, sedation logs, medications logs, crash cart logs, etc.) Maintain accurate and complete patient record/documentation. Orders, stocks, and inventories supplies and assists in performing clerical duties. Escorts and transports patients to various hospital locations. Cross-train and cross-cover other areas or clinics based on departmental need, travel offsite may be necessary. Other duties as required of department operational needs.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time

Employee Type: Staff