EXTERNSHIP - DENTAL ASSISTING at Lorain County Health & Dentistry – Lorain, Ohio

Position Title: Dental Assistant – Student Extern

Status: Unpaid Externship

Department: Dental

Supervisor: Chief Dental Officer

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The purpose of externship opportunities for students rotating at Lorain County Health & Dentistry is to provide a community health center environment to further expand class based learning and competencies in a clinical setting. Externs are expected to follow all procedures and policies accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry employment and clinical practices. Externs are expected to follow these procedures and policies in the same manner and standard as employed LCH&D staff. All care and services are provided in accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry’s philosophy of “partnership” with patients while integrating its values of Respect, Quality, Compassion and Hope.

All student extern work-based learning components will be in alignment with the student’s school and program requirements and will be unpaid.

Learning Objectives to Be Achieved

• Welcome and drape patients.
• Review patient’s medical and oral history.
• Develop clinical competency in the area of Diagnostic Radiographs
• Develop clinical competency in areas of 4 handed dental procedures, including: Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery Procedures, and Endodontics.
• Coordinate and oversee patient flow, assuring patients are seated timely and appropriately.
• Assure the clinical area meets or exceeds quality and regulatory standards.
• Removes all instruments and tools from treatment room after use and processes them for sterilization.
• Assists in preparing trays and setting up for all procedures.
• Cleans and sets up treatment rooms for scheduled procedures.
• Prepares, Decontaminates, and disinfects instruments, tray set up and instrument sterilization.
• Manages general house cleaning tasks.
• Break down and set up operatories.
• Maintains lab counter areas keeping them clean and free of clutter.
• Document and maintain accurate sterilization records.
• Collect, store and ensure proper disposal of biohazards and sharps waste.
• Be knowledgeable of spill containment and clean up.
• Must maintain accurate records and ensure all patient records are maintained accurately by those who report them.

• Must maintain HIPPA policy at all times.
• Must sustain infection prevention standards at all times per company policy.
• Must demonstrate clinical competence in all areas of assigned job functions.
• Ensure the organization’s policies and procedures are followed on a consistent basis, in alignment with the organization’s managerial guidelines.
• Deliver care and services in accordance with the organization’s philosophy of “partnership” with patients and integration of the organizations values of Respect, Quality, Compassion and Hope.
• Provide input and recommendations to enhance the growth and success of the organization.
• Operate and work in conjunction with the theories taught by the organization.
• Make every attempt to meet daily goals and objectives as defined by the organization.
• Assume all other reasonable and professional duties and responsibilities as needed or directed by the company's leadership.
• It is also the responsibility of every employee and extern to ensure that executive management is made aware of any issues that could negatively impact the organization or its relationships with patients, and the community. Also to report any and all safety violations and infractions against the company's vision, mission, and values.

PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Local travel required.
• Attend meetings and trainings as directed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Fine and gross motor skills will be frequently employed.
• Some lifting of supplies and equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Desire to pursue dental career and willingness to grow and participate in hands on Dental Assistant training.
• Desire to pursue Ohio Radiographer license and training to produce competent diagnostic radiographs
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor and communicate enthusiastically with patients.
• Ability to be responsive in working with a culturally-diverse patient population.
• Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to master a therapeutic communication approach.
• Ability to independently complete multiple tasks.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively support a team.