JOB POSTING IS EXPIRED
Dental Assistant-Community Services

Job Overview

Overview

This position is located at the Clayton County VNA.

The Dental Assistant provides assistance to dental hygienist in clinical day to day practices. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributes professional oral health knowledge and skills in the provision and management of care to patients and their families. Maintains a practice environment that reflects the rules and regulations set forth by the Iowa Dental Board. Provides oral health evaluation procedures, health education, and referrals to patients.

Why UnityPoint Health? 

• Commitment to our Team – We’ve been named a  Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare 2022  by Becker’s Healthcare for our commitment to our team members. 
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you Come for a fulfilling career and experience  a culture  guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve. 
• Benefits – Our competitive  Total Rewards  program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. 
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and  development opportunities  is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience. 
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. 

Visit us at UnityPoint.org/careers to hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work.  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org/  

"Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer"

Responsibilities

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Complies with all federal and state regulations in response to all Iowa Department of Public Health funding including but not limited to administration, client services, nutrition education, and oral health screenings.
• Collaborates with and refer participants to other programs. This includes, but is not limited to, medical and dental providers, other programs/partnerships, and referral organizations within the community.
• Implements quality improvement activities that focus on strategies that raise the level of quality, aim to improve the program, avoid attributing blame, and work to create a system that increases
• efficiency and effectiveness of outcomes.
• Provide clinical assistance to dental hygienists while providing oral health screenings and education
• Assesses the needs of patients and families, providing appropriate teaching and making the necessary referrals to provide continuity of care.
• Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
• Ability to maintain and receive a public health supervision agreement with a local dentist yearly.
• Delivers high quality care utilizing the dental processes, set forth by their public health supervision agreement, while demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Delegates and provides direction for other healthcare providers and hold them accountable for their involvement in the plan of care.
• Utilizes critical thinking in making independent judgments and maintains responsibility and accountability for the knowledge of conditions of assigned patients.

Development & Patient Education

• Continues professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance oral health practices by sharing knowledge through networking and research.
• Promotes outreach strategies that align with Iowa Department of Public Health programs including public health services, health equity, social determinants of health, and other oral health programs and practices.
• Assess and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient’s and their families’ age specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.
• Consults appropriate resources within the hospital and community to provide specialized education.
• Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, JCAHO, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Qualifications