DENTAL ASSISTANT - 64064704

Dental Assistant - 64064704

The Dental Assistant position provides direct and indirect assistance to the clinical dentist in the chair side care of patients and performs expanded duty dental assisting functions as provided by the Dental Practice Act of Florida. General and daily supervision of this position will be performed directly by the Lead Dentist in charge of the clinic, to whom this position reports, and indirectly by the Dental Director and his / her administrative staff. The Dental Assistant may also be called upon to manage certain clerical duties associated with the front desk position. The following job responsibilities are noted, and other duties may be assigned :

Provides direct assistance to the dentist during all clinical dental procedures. Advises the dentist of pertinent items of health history relating to each patient. Anticipate the treatment needs of each patient and prepare the dental operatory accordingly. Assembles necessary materials, instruments, and medications for each treatment session. Conducts radiographic surveys on each patient as directed by the dentist. Monitor each patient's treatment progress and schedule accordingly. Follows Infection Control protocol as described in OSHA's regulations for "Blood-borne Pathogen Standards" during clinical procedures. Maintains adequate clinical supply levels and order replacement items when necessary.

Executes and maintains accurate patient treatment records and other pertinent documents for proper clinic operation. Periodic monitoring of recall patient charts. When needed, assist in the scheduling and confirmation of appointments of all dental patients for treatment. Discusses clinic policy with patients and parents. Corresponds with other clinic personnel regarding referrals for care. Furnishes information regarding eligibility and fees for treatment via telephone and mail. Provides instruction in proper oral hygiene skills, including toothbrushing and flossing to clinic patients. Instruct patients in proper diet habits and explain the relationship of nutrition to dental caries. Distributes and explains patient education materials. Instructs expectant mothers of clinic patients (guidance). Prepares and executes proper sterilization and disinfection procedures for instruments and equipment, including monitoring the effectiveness of autoclave sterilizer using biologic monitor as provided. Operates and maintains all clinical equipment in proper working order and report all malfunctions and needs for repair or overhaul to Dental Administration office. Acknowledges completion of repairs by contract vendors and report such completion to Dental Administration office. Performs other related duties such as inputting patient treatment data into the Health Department patient service HMS computer system and Eaglesoft Electronic Health Records system. Functions as a designated Key Custodian for the assigned dental office. Implements the responsibilities associated with this designation as set forth in Policies 6, DOH Information Security, Policies, protocols and Procedures.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Willing to work before, during, and / or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. This may include working in a special needs or Red Cross shelter, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• Current employee of Florida Department of Health. Applicants accepted only from Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees). Applicants will not be accepted from outside of the department.
• Valid driver's license, free of major infractions and access to an automobile to be utilized for work purposes.
• Expanded duty and radiology certificate.
• Experience with the following software : HMS, Outlook, EagleSoft.
• Experience with the FDOH records management system, dental protocols and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications :

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values :

Mission : To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision : To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values :

Where You Will Work : Broward County

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida :

For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com . For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. This position requires a security background check and / or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note : You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website : http : / / www.sss.gov .

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and / or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and / or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and / or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.