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Quick overview

The extern will provide support in a community health center environment, following all established clinical procedures and policies to expand classroom learning in a clinical setting. Key duties involve patient preparation, assisting with various dental procedures, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring proper sterilization and record-keeping.

Requirements summary

Candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited Dental Assisting education program and demonstrate a desire to pursue a dental career, including training for diagnostic radiographs. Essential requirements include maintaining HIPAA policy, sustaining infection prevention standards, and possessing excellent communication skills to work effectively with a diverse patient population.

professional certificateHIPAA ComplianceInstrument SterilizationMedical History ReviewInfection PreventionDental AssistingPatient Flow CoordinationEndodonticsRestorative DentistryRegulatory Standards ComplianceOral Surgery ProceduresDiagnostic RadiographsBiohazard DisposalPatient DrapingFour Handed DentistryPreventative DentistryOral History Review

Job description

Position Title: Dental Assistant – Student Extern

Status: Unpaid Externship

Department: Dental

Supervisor: Assistant Dental Director

Primary purpose

The purpose of externship opportunities for students rotating at Lorain County Health & Dentistry is to provide a community health center environment to further expand class based learning and competencies in a clinical setting. Externs are expected to follow all procedures and policies accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry employment and clinical practices. Externs are expected to follow these procedures and policies in the same manner and standard as employed LCH&D staff. All care and services are provided in accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry’s philosophy of “partnership” with patients while integrating its values of Respect, Quality, Compassion and Hope.

All student extern work-based learning components will be in alignment with the student’s school and program requirements and will be unpaid.

  • Learning Objectives to Be Achieved
  • Welcome and drape patients.
  • Review patient’s medical and oral history.
  • Develop clinical competency in the area of Diagnostic Radiographs
  • Develop clinical competency in areas of 4 handed dental procedures, including: Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery Procedures, and Endodontics.
  • Coordinate and oversee patient flow, assuring patients are seated timely and appropriately.
  • Assure the clinical area meets or exceeds quality and regulatory standards.
  • Removes all instruments and tools from treatment room after use and processes them for sterilization.
  • Assists in preparing trays and setting up for all procedures.
  • Cleans and sets up treatment rooms for scheduled procedures.
  • Prepares, Decontaminates, and disinfects instruments, tray set up and instrument sterilization.
  • Manages general house cleaning tasks.
  • Break down and set up operatories.
  • Maintains lab counter areas keeping them clean and free of clutter.
  • Document and maintain accurate sterilization records.
  • Collect, store and ensure proper disposal of biohazards and sharps waste.
  • Be knowledgeable of spill containment and clean up.
  • Must maintain accurate records and ensure all patient records are maintained accurately by those who report them.
  • Must maintain HIPPA policy at all times.
  • Must sustain infection prevention standards at all times per company policy.
  • Must demonstrate clinical competence in all areas of assigned job functions.
  • Public and professional activities
  • Local travel required.
  • Attend meetings and trainings as directed.
  • Physical demands
  • Fine and gross motor skills will be frequently employed.
  • Some lifting of supplies and equipment up to 50 lbs.
  • Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Current enrollment in an accredited Dental Assisting education program
  • Desire to pursue dental career and willingness to grow and participate in hands on Dental Assistant training.
  • Desire to pursue Ohio Radiographer license and training to produce competent diagnostic radiographs
  • Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor and communicate enthusiastically with patients.
  • Ability to be responsive in working with a culturally-diverse patient population.
  • Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to master a therapeutic communication approach.
  • Ability to independently complete multiple tasks.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others.
  • Ability to efficiently and effectively support a team.