Dental Sterilization Assistant

Are you a value-driven and compassionate individual that believes in providing quality care that has positive effect on our communities? At Community Health Network, we are driven to create extraordinary experiences for our patients and employees. Our objective is to provide opportunities that develop and grow careers in a team-oriented environment focused on patient care. Job Summary: The Dental Sterilization Assistant helps the dental team in improving patient services, efficiency, and productivity by successfully managing sterilization protocols. The Sterilization Assistant is responsible for preparing, sterilizing, and cleaning dental equipment to protect patients from bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents. They must be able to identify different dental tools and know how to clean and sanitize each one. Other duties may include preparing work areas, handing dentists tools during patient visits, using hoses and other suction devices during treatments, and educating patients on dental hygiene. Sterilization assistant must remove all organic and inorganic materials from dental instruments before sterilization, and may use scrub brushes, detergents, specialized soaps, and high-power rinses. The Dental Sterilization Assistant is committed to ensuring a positive patient experience and following PCMH guidelines and principles.
Duties and Responsibilities: Strictly Adhere to enhanced infection control protocols and PPE requirements to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases Process dental instruments and patient care items through the sterilization process safely and efficiently Maintain sterilization equipment, following manufacture maintenance guidelines and intervals Turn over rooms in an efficient manner, transporting dirty instruments to the sterilization area for processing Setting up rooms for all operative procedures, carefully setting up to meet the needs of the patient for the next procedure Provide customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room as needed Turn on equipment in the morning and off at night  Assist doctor during clinical examination, recording exam notes, and treatment plans as needed Transition exam information to the front office staff for scheduling purposes, as needed Educate patients on plaque control; explain prevention to patients and parents of small children Take the patient's blood pressure when necessary  Prepare hygiene rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination, sterilization of all instruments, cleaning handpieces and room, and restocking supplies Assist the hygienist with new patient charting and routine periodontal charting Help dental assistants, doctors, and front desk staff, when necessary  Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, concisely with others, consistently demonstrate positive/proactive customer service attitude Consistently maintains ethical behaviors exemplary of quality public service and fair standards, inclusively, among all employees and members of the public Must be cognizant of the expectations and concerns of the health center's dental patients and be able to respond in an empathetic and professional manner Maintains dental department equipment and work areas in compliance with health center policies and procedures relative to infection control and safety issues, including the sterilization of all reusable dental instruments and equipment and the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials Stocking and restocking room with instruments prior to each procedure After each patient, sterilizing operatory instrumentation according to OSHA/CDC standards Adhering to all OSHA and HIPAA regulations Cleaning the office at the end of the day Follows guidelines for patient preparation and dismissal according to Dental Department policy and protocol Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law and Dental Department directive and protocol Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer's directions and Dental Department policy and protocol Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control, and safety issues Maintains a list of all Dental Department patients, monitors patient flow, and assists the Dental Director, dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in assuring that all patient records and documents, including encounter forms and routing slips, are properly and accurately completed and filed Ensure the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive and protocol Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, center policy as well as state and federal regulation(s) Performs all functions in full compliance with the Center's and the Dental Department's Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions May be asked to perform other duties that align with CHN's mission, including but not limited to participation on clinical committees, providing education, Quality Review and/or other activities on or off sites Responsible for personal compliance in full, with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures including but not limited to the participation of a Dental Assistant in the provision of clinical dental care, as well as those relating to but not limited to personnel issues, workplace safety, public health, and confidentiality Must be willing to travel between CHN health centers. Must be willing to work evening hours and weekends if necessary Required Skills/Abilities: Providing excellent customer service and support; organizing and prioritizing workload Ability to interact effectively and professionally wit persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, education, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds Ability to work as an effective team member; function independently, exercise sound judgment and initiative; be flexible to shift priorities; maintain confidentiality; establish and maintain effective interpersonal work relationships, effectively assist providers; work toward goals and objectives of draft priorities Ability to receive constructive feedback including evaluation of provider's productivity and practice attributes High ethical standards Well-organized and self-directed Team player Ability to relate to people at all levels in the organization Good communication skills Consumer advocate for quality health and dental care and services Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations Knowledge of OSHA and state regulations Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation Skilled in the use of standard office equipment including: telephones, calculators, copiers, fax, computers, and computer software (MS Excel, Work, Practice Management software) Ability to instill trust from the doctors, co-workers, and patients Ability to work cooperatively with management, staff, and patients Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks in a timely and independent manner Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions and accept constructive criticism Ability to collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and maintain confidentiality Ability to communicate and express thoughts and ideas competently Ability to quickly grasp relevant concepts regarding duties and responsibilities Ability to handle multiple projects at the same time and to prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols Ability to perform each position responsibility satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position Ability to understand that safety is a condition of employment. Unsafe acts or conditions will be reported to the Clinical Dental Supervisor Preferred Skills/Abilities: None Required Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED certificate  Completion of accredited course in dental assisting Registered Dental Assistant licensure, in process Current CPR/BLS Current Radiology Certification, in process Preferred Education and Experience: None Supervision Responsibilities: None Physical Requirements Frequently required to sit, talk, and stand Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds Specific frequently vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision, Color vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception, and Ability to adjust focus Work Environment: BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE LEVEL: 1 (HIGH) Noise Level: Moderate Putting Our Heart into Your Care
MyCHN (Community Health Network) is a local healthcare provider dedicated to providing excellence in care and service. We currently operate in Brazoria, Harris, and Galveston counties.
MyCHN (Community Health Network) is a healthcare organization with 14 locations throughout the greater Houston area that offers multiple services for whole-person care.