Are you a dental assistant with career ambitions that include the need for leadership investment in your professional and personal growth, and finding a long term dental family, but you don’t know how to get started? Our practice can offer many opportunities to help you meet your goals! This entry job opportunity as a Sterilization and Hygiene Assistant may be the perfect role for you!
Our team is our top priority, which in turn makes patients their top priority. As a team, we go above and beyond to meet patients' needs and expectations.
Our philosophies have led us to be able to grow immensely. Our location is expected to double in size within the next five to seven years and new opportunities will be created to support that growth.
Summary/objective
The role of a Sterilization and Dental Assistant is to assist the clinical staff in the clinical setting. Their main priority is to ensure excellent patient care, maintain safety standards, and be a resource for all clinical staff. This job description outlines the essential functions of the Sterilization Technician position and the competencies that the Sterilization and Hygiene Assistant position is held accountable to. This position is a great entry opportunity for those who are just starting into dentistry. There is potential for expansion in the role as you excel.
Essential functions
● Provides customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room and preparing them for care.
● Removes all instruments and tools from the treatment room after use and processes them for sterilization according to OSHA standards and regulations.
● Assists in preparing and setting up for all procedures/patients per office standards.
● Cleans and sets up treatment rooms for scheduled procedures.
● Prepares, Decontaminates, and disinfects/sterilizes instruments according to OSHA standards and regulations.
● Records treatment information on patient charts per office standards.
● Secondarily assists front desk personnel and performs administrative duties when needed.
● Chairside assists Lead Assistant and/or Hygienists when needed to ensure patients receive the best care.
● Manages general house cleaning tasks.
● Break down and set up operatories.
● Assist in the New/Existing Patient process as needed.
● Maintain plaster trap, lab and steri counter areas be kept as neat as possible.
● Help maintain overall office and clinic cleanliness.
● Maintains OSHA, Aseptic Technique, HIPAA according to compliance and company protocols.
● Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment including but not limited to: autoclave, compressor, vacuum, amalgam separator, ultrasonic cleaner, trios calibration, etc.
● Performs daily and weekly waterline maintenance.
● Laundry service as needed.
● Weekly spore testing submission and recording per company policy and procedure.
● Submission of broken instruments and handpieces for repair.
● Maintain MSDS binder. Maintain safety equipment and lead the team in annual medical emergency review (Fire extinguishers, eyewash equipment,
AED, emergency signage, etc.)
● Dismiss sedation patients utilizing wheelchairs and proper techniques.
● Identify soon to be/already expired clinical materials and inform the back office coordinator for immediate use or reordering as it occurs.
● Maintain appropriate stock of dental supplies while being mindful of not overstocking and staying within budget.
● Familiarity with each doctor’s set up preferences.
● Inspect, assemble and test specialty equipment for proper function and alert the office lead of anything that requires attention.
● Document and maintain accurate sterilization records.
● Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
● Collect, store and ensure proper disposal of biohazards and sharps waste.
● Be knowledgeable of spill containment and clean up.
Required education and experience
● Positive and outgoing personality, an eagerness to learn and grow, exceptional interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, excellent patient care skills and strong organizational skills.
● High School Diploma or equivalent
● Dental Assistant Certification required (copy of certificate is required)
● Coronal Polishing Certificate required
● Experience in taking x-rays required
● 1+ year of dental assistant experience highly recommended
● CPR certification
Additional benefits:
● Free dental services for yourself and your dependents minus lab fees
● Paid sick and vacation days (if full time and after 6 months)
● Team-focused, uplifting and educational work culture
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Food provided
- Free parking
- Health insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Dental assisting: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Coronal Polishing Certificate (Required)
- Registered Dental Assistant or EDDA Certificate (Required)
- X-Ray Certification (Required)
Work Location: In person
