Dental Assistant

Description

Work Schedule

• Regular hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  
• Required evening hours: Every Thursday, 11:30 AM – 7:30 PM (standing schedule)
  
• Additional coverage: One Saturday per month, as scheduled

This position includes a consistent Thursday evening schedule to ensure expanded access to care for our Gloucester patients.

Primary Purpose of Position:

North Shore Community Health (NSCH) is an industry leader in the exceptional delivery of community healthcare. We have a full-time opening for a Dental Assistant for our Peabody Family Health Center. Reporting to the Dental Operations Manager, the Dental Assistant works chairside in the dental clinics under the direction of dental providers to assist in the provision of dental services.

The Organization

North Shore Community Health (NSCH) is a highly accomplished community health organization that prides itself on its compassionate approach to serving the surrounding communities with comprehensive and culturally sensitive care. With a strong commitment to excellence, NSCH provides:

• Comprehensive primary care.
• Dental services.
• Behavioral health care.
• Care management.
• Pharmacy services.
• Substance abuse disorder treatment.
• Nurse care management.
• Insurance enrollment assistance.

NSCH operates service sites at Gloucester, Peabody, and Salem Family Health Centers, ensuring convenient access to care. Additionally, NSCH extends its reach through school-based health centers within the Salem and Peabody School Districts. NSCH collaborates with Bentley Academy, Collins Middle School, Horace Mann School, Bates Elementary School, and the Peabody Learning Academy for behavioral health services.

As a community-based safety net healthcare provider, NSCH actively encourages diversity and welcomes staff members who reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. We highly value the contributions of our team members and offer a wide range of perks and comprehensive benefits. These include health and wellness benefits, tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness opportunities, and other appealing benefits.

We believe in supporting our employees from day one, and all eligible staff members can take advantage of these benefits right from the start of their employment at NSCH. We aim to foster a supportive and rewarding environment that empowers our team members to provide exceptional care to our communities.

Mission

North Shore Community Health’s mission is to build healthy communities by providing exceptional care to all.

Vision

Healthy People | Vibrant Communities

Values

Accountability

We take our responsibility to ourselves, each other, and the NSCH Community very seriously. We understand our individual roles and positions of power with respect to how others perceive our roles and actions. We hold ourselves accountable when we make mistakes–acknowledging the error, owning it, taking corrective actions, and moving forward. We follow through on what we commit or resolve to do.

Integrity

Integrity is the foundation of healthy relationships. We are committed to the highest ethical standards: honesty, fairness, respectfulness, and trustworthiness. We are honorable and respectful in dealings with others, and we strive to deal honestly, fairly, and in a respectful, ethical, and trustworthy manner when in agreement or disagreement.

Empathy

Empathy is a deep appreciation for another’s situation and point of view, which is the basis for the golden rule and our intrinsic sense of justice. We strive to bring empathy into our interactions with each other and with our patients.

Courage

We see courage as the strength of character to stand up for our convictions and belief system. To have courage is to have the fortitude to take risks and to extend one’s behaviors, actions, and thoughts beyond one’s comfort zone. We appreciate that courage is often required to compromise. Courage is a state of mind to face adverse, difficult, and challenging situations with confidence and positive energy.

Respect

NSCH holds its patients in the highest regard. We provide care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient needs and values. We take the time to listen to concerns, understand what is important, and provide appropriate solutions and care. We do this through coordination and integration of care, collaboration, and teamwork.

Commitment

NSCH is committed to the health and well-being of its community, patients, and staff. We demonstrate this commitment by constantly striving to align our actions with our mission, vision, and values.

EEO Statement:

We, North Shore Community Health (NSCH), are an equal employment opportunity employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce representative of all people, at all job levels, in the organization. We do not and will not make any personnel decisions (like recruiting, hiring, job assignments, and promotions) based on age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols. Provide the patient with proper consent forms before treatment. Obtain and record vitals, including blood pressure.

• Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping the patient.

• Provides information to patients and employees by answering non-clinical questions and requests.

• Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to the treatment area, positioning instruments for the dentist's access, suctioning, and passing instruments.

• Provides materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments.

• Comply with all infection control procedures and OSHA regulations to maintain a safe and clean working environment by decontaminating treatment rooms and sterilizing all instruments after each use.

• Provides diagnostic information to the provider by exposing radiographs, pouring, trimming study casts.

• Keep the operatory and other clinical areas clean and well-stocked.

• Assist the dentist in managing dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.

• Educates patients by giving postoperative instructions. Per provider direction.

• Documents dental care services by charting in patient records.

• In collaboration with the Dental team, maintains operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.

• Schedule accurate dental appointments.

• Provides exemplary customer service; treats patients and coworkers with courtesy and discretion.

• Maintain good standing with DA license. Earn 12 credits per 2-year cycle. Records of credits to be given directly to DOM

• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A minimum of a High School Diploma/GED

• Dental Assistant and Radiology Certificate required

• Three years’ experience as a dental assistant

• Bilingual in Spanish/Portuguese and English is a plus

• Good working knowledge of dental equipment and terminology, OSHA, and safety compliance

• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced dental environment

• Superior customer service skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Detail-oriented, organized, professional, and able to multitask.

• Good working knowledge of EPIC/WISDOM.

• Maintains strict adherence to the NSCH Confidentiality policy.

• Ability to be courteous, efficient, effective, and patient in a fast-paced environment

• Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts the success of the team above one's own interests.

• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Maintains a high level of customer service with both patients and coworkers

• Preference will be given to qualified bilingual/bicultural individuals who can speak Spanish and/or Portuguese.

• Ability to travel to other NSCHI sites for meetings and clinical coverage as needed is required.

As a health center, NSCH ensures that all employees comply with the annual requirements for vaccinations and health screenings. All employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment unless they have been granted a religious or medical exception. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be provided, and prospective employees must be vaccinated before their first day of employment, submitting their vaccination record and pre-hire paperwork. If you need to request an exemption from the vaccine requirement or have any inquiries regarding this policy, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@nschi.org.

At North Shore Community Health, our commitment lies in fostering a diverse workforce. If you're enthusiastic about this position but feel that your previous experience aligns differently with every requirement in the job description, we still encourage you to apply! Your skills could be a great fit for this role or other opportunities within North Shore Community Health.

Living on the North Shore

With facilities in Salem, Peabody, and Gloucester, NSCH offers access to New England’s Coastal charm just thirty minutes outside Boston. The North Shore is connected to the city via the Rockport Commuter Rail line, which makes stops in Salem and Gloucester. The North Shore has plenty to offer, with a rich history and thriving cultural scene.

For Information, Please Contact:

Talent Acquisition Department

North Shore Community Health

TalentAcquisition@nschi.org