Sr. Lead Dental Assistant

Temple University's School of Dentistry is searching for a Senior Lead Dental Assistant!

As the second-oldest dental school in the U.S., the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry upholds a legacy of innovation in dental education, research efforts, community service and pioneering healthcare services. Founded in 1863, Kornberg remains a pillar in the dental community. We have more than 7,000 alumni currently redefining the field of oral health around the world. In 2023, the school proudly celebrated its 160th Anniversary.

Kornberg supports health and wellness through a range of diverse educational programs and comprehensive patient services. Our students become dedicated and ethical professionals who honor the traditional models of dental care while staying focused on discovering new ones.
We train the experts who lead the field.

Our renowned faculty and staff provide students with a wealth of opportunities and resources, including smart classrooms, digital dentistry labs, clinics and a preclinical lab that emphasizes collaboration. Students pursue postbaccalaureate, predoctoral, continuing education and advanced education in general dentistry programs.

Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following:
A hybrid work schedule (remove this sentence if position is not hybrid)
Full medical, dental, vision coverage
Paid time off
11 Paid Holidays
Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
A generous retirement plan and so much more!

SALARY RANGE: $21.66 to 24.00 per hour
A variety of important factors are reviewed by HR when considering salary, including job duties, the applicant's education and experience, all relevant internal equity considerations, department budget, and funding source.

*This position requires the following background checks: criminal history review, child abuse clearance and FBI fingerprinting

Position Summary:
The Sr. Lead Dental Assistant is responsible for the daily oversight of the clinic to ensure all clinical and administrative operations of the clinic runs smoothly. S/he will also provide assistance to the residents, students and faculty in the treatment of dental patients in the School of Dentistry. Primary responsibilities will be to work closely with the clinic director and/or department chair to ensure the clinic is operating effectively and efficiently, which includes coordinating with the Business Office to address billing and insurance issues, pre-authorizations, train new and current staff ensuring they are knowledgeable of current clinical operations, equipment, policies and procedures. Ensuring the medical emergency kits, oxygen tanks and AED units are up to day. Manage the clinics recall list, and coordinating with Lead Dental Assistants to insure that clinics are staffed appropriately. Other primary responsibilities of the Sr. Lead Dental Assistant will be performing Dental Assistant functions including but not limited to various routine and complex procedures within the clinics area of specialty, preparing chairs or surgical rooms for procedures, welcoming and seating patients into the chair, performing 4 handed dentistry during procedures, charting, and maintaining and disinfecting operatories between and after patient visits. In addition, the Sr. Lead Dental Assistant will be responsible for taking and uploading digital x-rays and other patient related data into axium, pouring and trimming dental impressions, ordering and maintaining supplies, troubleshooting dental equipment and instruments, maintaining logs for equipment maintenance and safety required by the university, School, and Department for infection Control, and assisting with the sterilization process, insuring spores tests are completed and submitted daily. Other responsibilities will include support the front desk operations, checking patients in and out, scheduling appointments, filling out treasures receipt for patient payments, processing credit card payments, answering calls, calling patients to confirm appointments and inform them of any payment that may be due. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:
*At least 3 years of experience as a Dental Assistant.
*Dental Assisting training and certificate from the accredited school. Dental Radiology Certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
*CPR certification.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills and Abilities:
*Ability to obtain PA Child Abuse Clearances.
*Demonstrated knowledge of the standard and complex procedures performed in the clinics area of specialty.
*Demonstrated ability to provide chair-side assistance.
*Ability to utilize dental instruments, sterilizer, operatory equipment, infection control equipment, dental x-ray equipment, and all other standard dental equipment and instruments.
*Must be able to work with a diverse populations of students, faculty, staff, patients and other external contacts.
*Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and organizational and interpersonal skills.
*Demonstrated knowledge of dental terminology, procedures and diagnosis.
*Demonstrated ability to prioritize projects and tasks and to respond to multiple requests.
*Demonstrated ability to work with potential pathogens during dental assisting and sterilization procedures.
*Ability to provide dental assisting within the legal and ethical boundaries set forth by the state.
*Demonstrate lifelong learning.
*Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.
*Ability to adapt to change.
*Demonstrate personal commitment to providing strong customer service.

Essential duties:
*Chairside assist for faculty and residents with various routine and complex procedure during surgeries.
*Work with faculty and other supervisors to ensure that patient care is appropriate and efficient.
*Assists with all regulatory compliance (HIPPA, OSHA, emergency preparedness, infection control, etc.) for the dental clinic.
*Sterilize and maintain dental equipment and instruments. Run appropriate spores test to monitor their function.
*Maintains logs for equipment maintenance and for other safety logs required by the University, School, and Department.
*Maintain and disinfect operatories between and after patient visits.
*Coordinate appliances that are sent out and returned from dental laboratories. Inform Resident of return for delivery of appliance to patient.
*Ensure that repairs of equipment, furniture and facilities are handled timely.
*Perform chart review.
*Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
*Coordinate purchasing of inventory, implants, abutments, or other related dental materials/ supplies, and maintain related records.
*Taking, processing and mounting of digital x-rays.
*Serve as information resource, resolves problems, and refers residents, students, faculty, staff, patients or internal and external constituents to proper sources.
*Maintain or update clinic forms, handouts, and patient education materials.
*Utilize computer, printer, copying, autoclaves, ultrasonic units, operatory suction equipment, infection control materials, dental x-ray equipment and supplies, amalgamators, curing lights, and high and low speed dental hand pieces, etc.
*Must be able to perform similar functions in other departments within the school if needed.
*Supporting the front desk operations as needed, checking patients in and out, scheduling appointments, processing cred card payments, and answering calls.
*Perform other duties as assigned.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety. Go here to review: https://safety.temple.edu/reports-logs/annualsecurity-report

You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University's Department of Public Safety at 215- 204-7900.