Dental Assistant - EDDA

Job Description

Position: Dental Assistant (EDDA)
Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Clinical Services Officer
Location: Denver

Salary Rate:

Level 1 (Entry level up to 2 years of direct experience): $27.34 per hour

Level II (3+ years of direct experience): $34.18 per hour

Bilingual premium for qualifying languages is 3.5% higher than starting salary if pass bilingual exam on first week of hire.

About Us
At Colorado Health Network (CHN), we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace that celebrates individuality, creativity, and the unique perspectives each employee brings. We welcome applicants with diverse lived experiences, including those directly related to this position.
Our commitment to diversity extends to all aspects of our work, and we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. CHN is an equal opportunity employer, and we embrace applicants regardless of age, race, color, disability, HIV status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or other characteristics that make you unique.
Are you looking to join a team that empowers individuals and creates lasting change in the community? Do you thrive in an environment that values service, innovation, wellness, and integrity? If so, we would love to hear from you!
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Why Work at CHN?
As a full-time employee, you will enjoy a competitive benefits package, which includes:
Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous leave policy, including paid holidays, floating holidays, and wellness time off
Health & Wellness Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance plans
Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with employer match
Education & Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and access to ongoing learning opportunities
Additional Benefits: Legal Shield, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Eligible for Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment - State Dental Loan Repayment Program
At CHN, we are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic work environment where all employees can grow and thrive.
Position Summary: We are seeking a skilled and motivated Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) to join our dental team. The EDDA will play a vital role in delivery high quality patient care by assisting the dentist during procedures, performing advanced clinical tasks, and ensuring smooth and efficient workflow. We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work and ownership in providing excellent patient care. The ideal candidate has a strong knowledge of dental procedures, excellent communication skills, and is certified in expanded functions as defined by state regulations.

Essential Job Functions:

Achieve professional dentist and staff relations through teamwork to ensure coordination of activities
Achieve quality, positive patient relations through excellent customer service skills to ensure no patient complaints
Maintains accurate patient records and charting in the dental software. Promptly updates patient dental records
Motivated self-starter
Helps oversee maintenance and alteration of office areas and equipment, as well as layout, arrangement, and housekeeping of office facilities
Works closely and communicates consistently with the Intake Coordinators and Clinical Staff to ensure continuity of care
Demonstrates a deep understanding of patient confidentiality to protect the patient and clinic/organization
Efficiently handles multiple clerical/administrative tasks in a fast paced environment and learns new skills quickly
Must be comfortable learning and using Dental Software (SoftDent experience a plus)
Open to cross training with the front desk team
Order and maintain dental supplies and equipment staying within the monthly office budget
Candidate should be a consistent and reliable member of the team
Coachable and eager to learn new procedures
Follow all infection control protocols and comply with OSHA and HIPPA regulations. Strong understanding of infection control and maintaining a safe environment for both patient and team
Assist in re-care calls as needed - Willing to travel to Satellite Clinics in Colorado

Other duties as assigned

Clinical Duties:
Prepares patient, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures
Provides compassionate and patient centered care
Takes and updates medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient, records treatment in patient record
Prepares for and takes dental diagnostic x-rays
Triages Dental emergencies and presenting to the Dentist
Makes preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts
Pours, trims, and polishes study casts, fabricates custom impression trays from preliminary impressions, cleans and polishes removable appliances, and fabricates temporary crown restorations
Removable prosthetic procedures including complete denture and removable partial denture steps – must be comfortable or willing to learn
Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies
Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs
Strong clinical skills and attention to detail
Provides postoperative instructions as prescribed by Dentist
Ability to work with and assist multiple providers as a part of a larger team
Other duties may be assigned.

This list is not meant to be a comprehensive list of job duties. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:
Dental Assistant Certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  X-Ray certified, CPR certified.

Software Utilized:
Experience working with basic office and database computer programs, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, SharePoint and the internet.   Thorough understanding of Dental Software utilization or willing to learn

Knowledge, Skill and Ability:
Participation in training related to HIV and related issues.  Understanding of the Harm Reduction Model and Motivational Interviewing. Cultural Competency/Sensitivity. Excellent communication, client relations and management skills. Highly organized and detail oriented. This position requires personal and professional accountability; self-management and initiative; dedication to quality improvement, professional integrity and research ethics and cultural competency. Must demonstrate accuracy, efficiency and excellent organizational skills. Must demonstrate effectiveness in the following areas:  task management; teamwork; time management; and communication with teams, managers, clients, and company consultants and patients.

Material and Equipment Directly Used:
Works with standard office equipment including computer work station, printers, copiers, scanners and fax machine. Works with word processing software, spreadsheet applications, and presentation software. Communicates with clients and vendors using the telephone, e-mail, the Internet, and fax. Occasionally works with or coordinates a team to work with a shovel, vacuum, mop and broom and dustpan.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:
Works in an office environment. May travel to offsite locations. Requires ability to lift up to 50 pounds of materials. Requires clear speaking ability and the ability to use a telephone for extended periods. Requires ability to view a computer screen (near acuity). Hand skills necessary for dental procedures. Requires ability to perform occasional snow removal and de-icing. Requires ability to perform light cleaning tasks.