Dental Assistant I (0197) - Quincy

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The incumbent provides clinical and administrative support to dental faculty, residents, students, and other members of the dental care team. This position is responsible for assisting with clinical environments, supporting patient care coordination, and performing dental-specific administrative functions necessary for efficient clinic operations.

The position includes direct dental assisting and dental administrative and patient coordination responsibilities. Administrative duties are integrated into dental clinic operations and support patient access, clinical scheduling, treatment coordination, documentation, and continuity of care. The incumbent may be assigned to work areas based on operational needs, patient volume, and staffing requirements.

Direct Clinical Dental Assisting - 51%

1. Prepare dental operatories, equipment, instruments, supplies, and patient records.
2. Assist dentists, faculty, residents, and dental students during examinations and procedures using four-handed dentistry techniques, including instrument transfer, material preparation, retraction, and evacuation.
3. Expose dental radiographs under the direction of a licensed dentist.
4. Receive, escort, and seat patients in treatment areas and prepare patients for dental examinations and procedures.
5. Assist dental providers with patient preparation and clinical support.
6. Clean, disinfect, and prepare dental operatories between patients according to established infection prevention protocols.
7. Follow OSHA regulations, standard precautions, and institutional infection prevention and safety policies.
8. Clean, sterilize, package, and organize dental instruments and equipment, including placement of disposable barriers.
9. Assist with ordering, stocking, inventory management, and distribution of dental instruments, materials, and clinical supplies.
10. Document clinical information and update patient records.
11. Communicate with patients regarding procedures, preparation, and post-treatment instructions as directed by dentists.
12. Assist with maintaining clinical readiness, including monitoring supply levels, equipment availability, and operatory maintenance.
13. Provide chairside support and other dental assisting duties based on patient care needs.
14. Perform other related clinical duties as assigned.

1. Coordinate dental patient appointments, including new patient visits, follow-up appointments, treatment visits, and provider-specific scheduling requirements.
2. Manage dental appointment schedules to support appropriate utilization of dental operatories.
3. Answer incoming dental clinic telephone calls, respond to patient inquiries, and route clinical questions.
4. Greet and receive dental patients, verify appointment information, and facilitate patient check-in and check-out processes.
5. Maintain accurate patient demographic, contact, and appointment information in the electronic dental record.
6. Review daily dental schedules to identify treatment needs, appointment preparation requirements, and potential scheduling conflicts.
7. Coordinate appointments involving multiple dental procedures, providers, residents, students, or specialty services.
8. Assist patients with understanding dental appointment instructions.
9. Communicate with dental faculty, residents, students, and clinical staff regarding patient arrivals, schedule changes, cancellations, and treatment readiness.
10. Assist with managing dental appointment cancellations, rescheduling, patient reminders, and open appointment availability.
11. Maintain dental patient recall and follow-up scheduling processes to promote continuity of care and timely completion of recommended treatment.
12. Assist with obtaining, organizing, and maintaining dental records.
13. Coordinate incoming and outgoing dental referrals, including communication with patients and appropriate clinical personnel.
14. Assist with dental treatment plan coordination by scheduling procedures, communicating provider-approved instructions, and facilitating appropriate follow-up.
15. Support patient registration activities and collection of required dental forms, medical histories, consent documentation, and other clinic-specific paperwork.
16. Provide dental-specific administrative support to faculty, residents, students, and dental staff to maintain clinic operations.
17. Maintain confidentiality of patient information and comply with HIPAA, institutional policies, and applicable privacy requirements.
18. Support daily dental clinic operations through coordination of patient communications, appointment management, and other dental administrative functions.
19. Perform other related dental administrative duties as assigned.

Credentials to be Verified by Placement Officer

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA's)

1. Knowledge and techniques in dental procedures and medicine pertaining to dental assistance (e.g., knowledge of four-handed dentistry).
2. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
3. Ability to perform functions of administrative and clerical procedures managing files and records, designing forms, and managing inventory.
4. Knowledge of computers to input data, access information, and/or create materials and documents using a variety of clinical software applications.
5. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
6. Skill in giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
7. Skill in interpersonal verbal and written communication.
8. Ability to build rapport with patients.
9. Ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
10. Ability to remain continuously on task for several hours while sitting, standing, or moving.
11. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect when speaking with patients, peers, faculty, and staff.
12. Ability to help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental procedures; communicates appropriately and positively to guide and re-assure patients.

Condition of Employment:

Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, an out-of-state resident who is hired into this position must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of their start date.

If you require assistance, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hrrecruitment@siumed.edu or call 217-545-0223 Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.

The mission of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois through education, patient care, research and service to the community.

The SIU School of Medicine Annual Security Report is available online at https://www.siumed.edu/police-security. This report contains policy statements and crime statistics for Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. This report is published in compliance with Federal Law titled the

"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act."

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer who provides equal employment and educational opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status or marital status in accordance with local, state and federal law.

Pre-employment background screenings required.