Lead Registered Dental Assistant
Borrego Health
- Nuevo, CA
- $22.00-25.80 per hour
- Permanent
- Full-time
Registered Dental Assistant
The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is a key member of the dental care team. The RDA provides all functions of a dental assistant. An RDA may also perform additional functions, as described below, according to the requirements of the Dental Practice Act of California. The supervising, licensed dentist is responsible for determining whether each procedure performed by an RDA is under general or direct supervision and according to Borrego Health policy.
The RDA works under the direction and supervision of the Dental Manager. The RDA assists the dental provider and patient; providing compassionate quality care to the patients of Borrego Health, within the scope of practice as outlined by state and federal law.
Compensation:$22.00 - $25.80 per hour
Lead Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
The Lead RDA's responsibilities are an expansion of the existing RDA responsibilities. The Lead RDA serves as a mentor for new RDAs and as a role model for existing RDAs. Under the direction of the Dental Manager, the Lead RDA's primary role is to exemplify leadership as an extension of the RDA responsibilities. This is accomplished by aiding in the training and implementation of new initiatives, improving processes and maintaining excellent customer service (internal and external) at assigned locations, at all times. The Lead RDA is responsible to complete timely staff training, observe and evaluate Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants' performance to determine progress, provide feedback, and suggestions for improvement at designated sites.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical Functions:Performs all duties that a Registered Dental Assistant is allowed to perform under the Dental Practice Act of California
Responsible for effective and accurate patient intake to include but not limited to:Identifying patients
Taking vital signs
Identifying chief complaint
Reviewing medication history
Preparing patients for examinations for procedures including positioning and draping
Performing motivational interviewing techniques to help patients set self-management goals
Conducting patient education and oral hygiene instructionsFollows established standards of documentation
Demonstrates willingness to assist coworkers whenever needed; maintaining harmonious work relationships
Attends and actively participates in all-staff meetings and mandatory webinarsReviews patient records/forms for accuracy and completion
Assists the provider in closing the visit/encounter to include but not limited to:Reviewing encounter summary with patient and provider
Handing out prescriptions
Providing patient education as neededMouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity including charting of obvious lesions, existing restorations and missing teeth
Applies and activates bleaching agents using a non-laser light-curing device
Uses automated caries detection devices and materials to gather information for diagnosis by the dentist
Obtains intraoral images for computer-aided design milled restorations
Tests pulp vitality and records findings
Places bases, liners, and bonding agents
Chemically prepares teeth for bonding
Places, adjusts and finishes direct provisional restorations
Fabricates, adjusts, cements and removes indirect provisional restorations, including stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration
Places post-extraction dressings after inspection of the surgical site by the supervising licensed dentist
Places periodontal dressings
Dries endodontically treated canals using absorbent paper points
Adjusts dentures extra-orally
Removes excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument
Polishes coronal surfaces of the teeth
Places ligature ties and arch-wires
Removes orthodontic bands
Other responsibilities as assignedThe following duties may only be performed by an RDA if he/she has completed a California Dental Board-approved RDA educational program in those duties or he/she has provided evidence to the Board of having completed a Board-approved course in those duties.Allowable duties of a dental sedation assistant permit holder
Allowable duties of an orthodontic assistant permit holder
Application of pit and fissure sealants (only upon completion of a Dental Board approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants
Removes excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from supragingival surfaces of teeth undergoing orthodontic treatmentGeneral Responsibilities:Completes electronic and/or paper chart entries as assigned
Ensures that patient charts are available to the dentist prior to each patient being seated, including provision of a paper chart or pulling up an electronic chart
Explains procedures to patients
Passes instruments to the dentist during 4-handed procedures
For work on mobile dental units, manages start-up functions including turning on generators, securing steps and railings, checking water levels, setting thermostat, checking and completing logs and related activities
For non-mobile units, fills chemicals, as needed, fills water bottles and adds water treatment tablets, flushes water lines, ensures sanitation areas are clean and organized throughout the day, logs and dates all instrument sterilization cycles, writes date of sterilization on all bagged instruments, conducts inventory, receives and orders supplies, cleans operatories between patients
Instructs patients on post-operative care and oral hygieneLead RDA - Brick and mortar:Oversees, directs and maintains daily clinic workflow
Dedicates 10 administrative/non-clinic hours per work to fulfill responsibilities
Ensures smooth flow of communication between front office, back office and provider
Monitors schedule - alerts management of staffing needs
Monitors team punctuality and attendance - alerts management to issues
Ensures maintenance of on-site Human Resources employee compliance documents
Participates in weekly Lead RDA meetings with management
Ensures an inclusive and supportive working environment
Aids and supports with conflict resolution regarding staff, providers and patients
Coordinates and leads daily huddlesDrafts meeting agendas
Keeps minutes
Reports weekly at Lead RDA meetings with managementAssists management in incident reporting
Capable of drafting professional emails and texts (proper grammar and sentence structure)
Capable of giving directions
Leads by example
Contributes to establishing and maintaining open and supportive work environment
Promotes a team environment
Promotes a culture of excellent customer service by displaying the Borrego Health Standards of Customer Service behavior
Mentors new RDAs
Instructs trainees in the importance of accuracy, neatness, efficiency, resourcefulness and good work habits
Provides training to existing staff on new initiatives
Process improvement champions and change agentsAssists Dental Manager/Manager of Operations and Productivity in evaluating competencies; monitoring successful implementation; gathering and giving feedback on process improvements
Assists in the testing process of new initiatives (pilot/PDSA studies); collecting results and reporting findingsMaintains excellent proficiency in electronic health records
Utilizes different methods of teaching to cover diverse learning styles
Assists in coordinating annual Steri-cycle training
Ensures placement of Henry Schein orders
Ensures placement of pharmacy and special orders
Ensures proper disposal of expired medication
Coordinates and performs waterline testing
Assists in scheduling/coordinating/reporting needed repairs, calibrations and Physicists surveys
Seeks repair approvals from management - as neededCalls Rivera Dental (Kyle), Schein or Patterson to schedule repairs
Sends hand pieces to Schein Pro RepairEnsures maintenance and organization of clinic
Prepares and coordinates for external audits
Assists in performing quarterly internal audits - report's findings to management
Ensures log book maintenance
Ensures/performs monthly Instadose (x-ray badge reading)
Ensures maintenance of hand piece inventoryEnsures maintenance inventory of dental supply inventory - Places ordersAssists management in organizing and coordinating dental screenings and special events
Ensures OSHA/HIPA protocol are followed by staff
Ensures performance of weekly spore testing
Ensures disposal of and security of biohazard materials
Ensure security of lab cases
Ensures completion and submission of patient satisfaction surveys - reports monthly to management
Other responsibilities as assignedQUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:Graduate of high school or has a GED certificate
California Registered Dental Assistant license
Graduate of an educational program in Registered Dental Assisting approved by the California Dental Board and satisfactory performance on a written and practical examination administered by the California Dental Board, OR
Evidence of at least 15 months as a Dental Assistant in California or another state and satisfactory performance on a written and practical examination administered by the California Dental Board. “Satisfactory work experience” means the performance of duties specified by the Board in Section 1750.1 of the California Business and Professions Code, and certified by an employing dentist
A minimum of 2 years RDA work experience
Provision of having successfully completed Board-approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing
Completion of a California Dental Board approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants prior to the first expiration of his/her license that requires completion of continuing education as a condition of renewal
For individuals applying for RDA licensure after 1/1/10, must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a written examination in law and ethics administered by the California Dental Board and must provide written evidence of successful completion, within 5 years of application, of:A Board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act
A Board-approved course in infection control
All staff that is presently working within a clinic is required to have a Current and Valid CPR and First Aide certification on file with the Human Resources Department. This is for clinical and administrative staff. This new license requirement is mandatory for continued employment, CPR and First Aide certification must be obtained through the American Heart Association. Internet certificates do not comply and for this reason are not valid.Knowledge of how to take vital signsSpecial Conditions of Employment:Mandatory requirement - current and valid CPR and First Aide certification (American Heart Association) on file with the Human Resources department. Internet certificates do not comply and for this reason are not valid.
Strongly prefer completion of a California Dental Board-approved course in pit and fissure sealants prior to employment. Association. Internet certificates do not comply and for this reason are not valid.