Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Requisition Number: 4043
Job Title: Dental Assistant
Department: UUH OPC 32A DENTAL CLINIC
Reg / Temp: Regular
Employment Type: Full Time
Shift: Days
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
Location: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - 50 NORTH MEDICAL DRIVE
City: SALT LAKE CITY
State: UTAH

Job Description:
: As a patient-focused organization, the University of Utah Health Sciences exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The Health Sciences Center seeks faculty and staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, diversity, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission.

Position Summary:

This position assists dentists with routine as well as restorative and surgical procedures. The incumbent maintains and operates equipment and instruments under the direction of the dentist, and provides initial orientation for dental residents.

Essential Functions:

- Prepares patients and treatment rooms for procedures.
- Cleans, sterilizes and maintains instruments.
- Obtains, develops, mounts, and files x-rays.
- Assists dentist with procedures by preparing, identifying and providing appropriate instruments.
- Provides suctioning, sponging and retracting procedures.
- Assists the dentist with preparation and administration of sedation anesthesia.
- Instructs patients on appropriate dental hygiene practices.
- Orders, stocks and maintains equipment and supplies.
- Schedules patient appointments.
- Performs laboratory procedures by pouring, trimming and mounting models and making custom trays.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

- Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
- Care is appropriate to the population served.
- Excellent human relations and effective communication skills.
- This position performs duties as outlined by the State of Utah Dental Practice Act. The incumbent must keep current and initiate implementation of infection control protocol that prevents cross contamination and protects staff. The incumbent is encouraged to participate in training and education as new advances in dentistry arise.
- The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications:
Required:

- Completion of Dental Assistant Course and one year chair-side experience or equivalency.
- Basic Life Support Health Provider card required or obtain within one month of hire.
- Successful completion of Radiology Safety and Health exam or complete within six months of hire.