DENTAL ASSISTANT TRAINEE

ORGANIZATION

The mission of Ravenswood Family Health Network (RFHN) is to improve the health of the community by providing culturally sensitive, integrated primary and preventative health care to all, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status, and collaborating with community partners to address the social determinants of health.

Ravenswood Family Dentistry (RFD) is a dental clinic located in East Palo Alto. We offer dental care to people of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. As a multi-cultural community dental clinic, our goal is to provide excellent comprehensive dental care to our patients and promote oral health. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dental Assisting Training Program is 12 months in duration.  The Dental Assistant Trainee will receive on-the-job training in addition to completing coursework in Dental Terminology, Infection Control, and Radiology.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Staff Development, the Dental Assistant Trainee is a dental assistant who is being trained on the job to develop the skills needed to provide chairside assistance to dentists and dental hygienists with all treatments. The Dental Assistant Trainee is responsible for learning the skills in preparing operatories and processing instruments for patient treatment, taking accurate dental radiographs, assuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately documented in the electronic dental record, sanitizing operatories, and participating in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.  Additionally, this position assists with inventory, sterilization, and other duties as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To be performed in accordance with RFHN Policies and Procedures

1. Successfully completes coursework in Dental Terminology, Infection Control, and Radiology.
2. Successfully completes Sterilization and Dental Assisting skills checklist.
3. Successfully learns to use the Electronic Dental Record (EDR).
4. Learns to support RFHN dentists by assisting with instruments, seating patients, room preparation, and instrument cleaning.
5. Learns to greet patients upon arrival and to escort them from waiting room to treatment room.
6. Learns to take patient vitals and documents in the Electronic Dental Record (EDR).
7. Learns concepts of infection control and Cal OSHA as it relates to the practice of dentistry.
8. Learns to take dental intra-oral radiographs and successfully takes and passes the Radiology course and exam.
9. Learns to gather patient’s medical history for dentist review and final documentation.
10. Learns to document patient’s current medicines, medical conditions, and pre-medication if needed.
11. Learns to document patient’s blood pressure, weight, and smoking status.
12. Learns to provide chair side assistance during procedures as directed by attending dentist.
13. Learns to perform lab tasks, including denture and temporary crown preparation.
14. Learns to track and ensure lab cases for the next day have arrived from the lab.
15. Learns to set up, break down, and wipe down treatment room between patients.
16. Learns to clean, check, sterilize dental instruments, flush water lines, and maintain autoclaves.
17. Learns to help with tracking and ordering supplies.
18. Learns how to assist with various clinical and administrative functions as appropriate.
19. Learns how to ensure the proper disposal of all materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, center policy, as well as state and federal regulation(s).
20. Follows all safety protocols set forth by Ravenswood and OSHA.
21. Flexible to assist at other sites as requested.
22. Complies with all OSHA requirements, Dental Board, infection control practices, and RFHN policies.
23. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred.
• Ability to pass and obtain the California Radiation Safety Certificate.
• BLS (CPR) Certification; this may be obtained after hire date.
• Computer literate in a Windows environment; familiarity using a dental electronic record a plus.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Self-starter and self-motivated.
• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in English.
• Reliable, organized, detail oriented; able to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain complex records and files, and to meet and deal effectively with the public.
• Ability to work with all types of clients regardless of their immigration, race, housing, or financial status.
• Ability to work with patients of all ages.
• Commitment to support and implement the philosophy, goals, and objectives of RFHN.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks.
• Up to date with COVID-19 vaccines per current CDC guidelines strongly recommended.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 to $25.00 per hour.  However, the final base salary will be determined upon a number of individualized factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education and certification levels, and departmental budget. We also consider internal equity with our current employees when making final offers.

Ravenswood Family Health Network is an equal opportunity employer.