JOB SUMMARY:

Performs direct and indirect patient care procedures as well as general clinical and support tasks, as specifically delegated or directed by the supervising dentist. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Takes and records patient health history and vital signs; performs radiography, dental laboratory procedures, offender dental health orientation, dental health education and monitors oral physical therapy procedures. 
• Provides assistance in preventive, periodontic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, and oral surgery procedures; records clinical observations, treatment information, and data.
• Maintains general clinic orderliness and cleanliness; performs sterilization and disinfection of instruments and equipment.  Maintains inventory of instruments, needles and all hazardous materials stored and used in the dental clinic.
• Operates personal computers to enter and assimilate data, generate reports, draft routine correspondence, and develop special administrative analyses upon request.
• Executes some degree of complex administrative support duties involving the exercise of independent judgment under general supervision. Performs administrative support tasks including but not limited to filing, routing phone calls/correspondence/mail, and faxing information.
• Operates data entry system for entry and receipt of daily sick call requests and schedules routine and sick call appointments for the dental clinic using the appropriate scheduling program.  Enters appointments for all specialty offsite care and maintains a tracking system to assure all off site clinic appointments are completed.
• Retrieves or assists in retrieval and maintenance of all dental records which includes creating appropriate storage envelope for the records including radiographs.  Reviews dental records for completeness and accuracy.
• Receives, stores, distributes, and maintains proper inventory levels and stock records for the dental department.  Fills requisitions, work orders or supply requests, and returns expired/unused inventory to warehouse for credit.  Checks contents received against invoices and purchase orders and reports discrepancies.
• Maintains dental equipment and executes work orders as necessary.  Maintains an inventory of all dental equipment.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.

MARGINAL OR PERIODIC JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

High school or GED equivalent

Two years wage earning dental assisting experience required. Graduation from an accredited dental assistant school may be substituted for the two years wage earning experience.

Must be currently registered or must become registered with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners as required by state law and defined by the Rules and Regulations of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.

EQUIPMENT:

Standard office equipment and standard dental clinic equipment..

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/LOCATION OF POSITION:

Normal dental clinic and standard administrative clinical office setting within a correctional facility. May be required to provide dental assistance at multiple facilities.

OTHER:

Specific job requirements or physical location of some positions allocated to this classification, may render this position security sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of Section 51.215, Texas Education Code.