Lead Dental Assistant - Competitive Salary & Benefits

Position Overview: The General Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the back office in a dental practice. Reporting to the Office Manager or Dentist, this position involves a range of responsibilities, including teamwork, equipment maintenance, supply ordering, compliance with regulations, clinical support, and safety control. The General Assistant is expected to lead by example, promote efficiency in patient flow, and contribute to an excellent patient experience.

Reports To: Office Manager or Dentist

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Teamwork

• Ensure the back office operates smoothly and efficiently.
• Facilitate professional patient hand-offs to enhance patient experience.
• Lead by example to build efficiency in regular patient flow.
• Oversee and monitor dental assistants; provide training as needed.
• Schedule training for assistants with the Office Manager when necessary.
• Follow strict policies and protocols for write-ups or termination with permission from the Office Manager.
• Manage sterilization batches throughout the day.

1. Daily Workflow

• Perform opening duties such as setting up rooms, stocking gloves, and preparing sterile instruments.
• Participate in morning huddles to discuss pending treatments and appointments.
• Complete closing duties including setting up rooms for first patients, checking lab cases, and ensuring no dirty instruments remain.

1. Work Schedules

• Create daily, weekly, and monthly work schedules for assistants.
• Ensure assistants arrive on time and manage clocking in/out procedures.

1. Training

• Conduct training for new and current assistants on workflow, CPR, OSHA compliance, software usage (Eaglesoft, Lighthouse, Opera DDS), and other dental assistant functions.

1. Task Delegation

• Delegate tasks fairly among staff members.
• Maintain cleanliness in back office areas and ensure bathrooms are stocked and tidy.

1. Equipment Maintenance

• Address equipment maintenance issues promptly; repair or replace as needed.
• Maintain a master repair list and schedule necessary repairs with appropriate professionals.

1. Supply Ordering

• Monitor inventory usage and place purchase orders as needed to keep items stocked.
• Adhere to the monthly supply budget set by the Office Manager.

1. Compliance Issues

• Ensure staff adherence to OSHA regulations and safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA guidelines.
• Keep infection control logs updated and follow up with assistants on any changes.

1. Clinical Support

• Collaborate with dentists, hygienists, and other assistants to maintain efficient patient flow.
• Assist in transitioning new doctors or assistants into the office environment.

1. Safety Control

• Report incidents or clinic concerns to the Office Manager.
• Maintain logs related to safety compliance such as CPR certification, spore testing, eyewash station checks, etc.

1. Additional Duties

• Perform regular dental assisting job functions as outlined in the Dental Assistant Job Description.
• Delegate miscellaneous tasks such as stocking supplies and cleaning floors.

Job Requirements:

Education: Current and active dental assistant registration in Nevada is required.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of dental assisting experience is required; experience working in a multicultural and multilingual setting is preferred. Bilingual skills are an advantage.

Salary: 24 - 30 per hour

Benefits: The position offers healthcare benefits, a 401k plan with 3% matching contributions, discounted in-house dental treatment, monthly bonuses based on production, yearly bonus opportunities after 12 months of employment, and a $1000 sign-on bonus after 6 months of employment.