Job Details
Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician, Department of Oral Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician, Department of Oral Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine
Job Profile Title
Dental Assistant B
Job Description Summary
The Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician position at Penn Dental Medicine is a key team member supporting third and fourth-year dental students, pre-clinical students, faculty, staff as well as patients.
Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) has been a long-standing leader in clinical excellence due to its strong yet diverse faculty, a highly collaborative relationship with the School of Medicine, and its location within an Ivy League university and a city which is world renowned for health care education.
At Penn Dental Medicine, our students are among the nation's best, and they are matched in quality by the high level of instruction and research among our faculty. Our research encompasses all the basic and clinical sciences, and Penn's emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship encourages collaborations across disciplines. Our clinical care brings the latest techniques and technologies to patients within our teaching clinics and faculty practice. As stewards of the neighborhood in which we reside, Penn Dental Medicine participates in a diversity of community outreach programs, serving area residents while teaching our students to practice with compassion and responsibility.
Job Description
The Dental Assistant/X-Ray Technician position's primary responsibilities include taking radiograph's and assisting with patient behavior support plans.
DENTAL ASSISTANT
- Supervise students in patient preparation for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and obtaining medical history and patient vitals, and draping patient, as well as ensuring students work towards developing and creating a patient environment consistent with patient behavior support plans. Assist with medical immobilization and/or protective stabilization as needed and outlined in patient behavior support plans.
- Supervise and support students in documenting dental care services by charting in patient records.
- Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
- Supervises, supports and trains students proper selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth.
- Assist students in obtaining diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies and pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
- Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances.
- Supervises students in fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances, Aid in chairside assistance as needed.
- Educate and motivate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, presents and explains treatment plans to patients, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and schedules subsequent visits.
X-RAY TECHNICIAN
- Aid in and provide clear instruction in the preparation of diagnostic data, digital imaging, digital intraoral & diagnostic photos, sterilization, and scanning diagnostic models.
- Taking and teaching radiographic procedures to students such as full mouth series, panoramic radiographs and CBCT, and assisting with patient behavior support plans. Help with CBCT downloads to facilitate interpretation by faculty.
CLINIC OPERATIONS
- Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
- Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
- Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Helps dentist(s) manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
- Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
- To date, clinical hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm; flexibility in scheduling is required for all positions.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing and supporting as assigned.
- Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Technical School, Certification, or training required beyond High School and minimum of 3 years of practical experience in a dental care facility or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Pennsylvania under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must have passed national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam and be li-censed in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Current CPR certification and BLS required.
- Employment clearance through the State of PA to work on/with children: as deter-mined through Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI fingerprinting Database is required.
- Experience with AxiUm is preferred.
Experience in supporting dental care delivery including: preparation of treatment rooms, setting up patient instruments and materials, passing instruments and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice is preferred.
A dental assistant needs the use of both hands, dexterity in the fingers and the ability to manipulate instruments, materials, dental hand pieces, and operate dental equipment. The use of feet is necessary to manipulate the rheostat for hand pieces or other dental equipment. Must be able to work from a dental stool in order to perform most dental procedures. The ability to sit and stand for duration of time is also necessary.
Demonstrate competence in four-handed dentistry technique, level of knowledge & proficiency in use of current dental materials, instruments and equipment.
Other specific requirements include color spectrum differentiation; manual dexterity/motor coordination, hand-eye coordination, physical communications; visual acuity and communication/language development. Individuals in this position may be exposed to the following: bloodborne pathogens; chemical hazards (skin irritants); vibrating equipment; use of sharp instruments; and latex.
Comfort with treating specialized care patients including but not limited to individuals with com-plex medical concerns, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral and emotional limitations a must.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
School of Dental Medicine
Pay Range
$16.83 - $26.00 Hourly Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
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