Dental Assistant- (Darlington, SC)

POSITION SUMMARY

A Dental Assistant works under the supervision of a licensed dentist to provide chairside assistance during dental procedures, ensure efficient patient flow, and maintain a sterile and safe clinical environment. This role combines clinical support with administrative tasks to deliver high-quality oral healthcare.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Achieve Results

1. Provides excellent patient care.

2. Provides the highest quality of service to all patients.

3. Ensures services are in a timely manner to patients.

4. Ensures that all corporate standards, as defined by Genesis Health Care, are maintained and followed according to policies and procedures set up.

5. Provide support for providers and other nursing staff maintaining an acceptable level of productivity and consistency with all tasks as assigned.

Operational Excellence

6. Ensure and uphold the confidential requirements of all patient records and manage all daily tasks and activities consistent with HIPAA, state and federal laws and regulations, as well as the clinic’s policies and regulations regarding confidentiality and security.

Relationships

7. Develop and ensure effective, positive relationships between and among the clinic staff, as well as with patients, vendors, contractors, and related resources.

Professionalism

8. Ensure all actions, job performance, personal conduct and communications always represent the organization in a highly professional manner.

9. Uphold and ensure compliance with and attention to all corporate policies and procedures, as well as the mission and values of the organization.

PRIMARY TASKS & DUTIES

1. Prepare treatment rooms by ensuring instruments, materials, and equipment are clean, sterilized, and properly arranged.

2. Assist the dentist chairside during examinations and procedures.

3. Take dental X-rays in accordance with state regulations.

4. Record patient medical histories, vital signs, and treatment information.

5. Provide postoperative and oral hygiene instructions to patients.

6. Manage infection control protocols, including instrument sterilization and equipment maintenance.

7. Prepare dental materials such as impressions, cement, and restorative materials.

8. Assist with impressions, temporary crowns, and other chairside procedures as allowed by South Carolina’s scope of practice.

9. Update and maintain accurate patient records.

10. Assist with appointment scheduling, check-in/check-out, and phone communication.

11. Manage inventory of clinical supplies and notify team when restocking is needed.

12. Maintain cleanliness and organization of operatories and common clinical areas.

13. Support dentists, hygienists, and front-office staff to ensure smooth patient flow throughout the day.

14. Perform other related duties, as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/KEY COMPETENCIES

1. Must be able to function in a multi-tasking, multiple priorities environment, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

2. Must utilize a wide variety of office technology and tools to collect, enter, process, file patient records and documentation.

3. Must have the ability to work as part of a team.

4. Must have good verbal and communication skills.

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent and/or a graduate of an approved dental program. Must be able to speak read, write and understand English.

• Communication, customer service or working with the public, preferably in a dental care facility.

• General computer competence including basic Word and Excel; potential to be trained in specific software for patient information, billing and communication.

• BLS certification, required

Physical/Environmental

• Ability to interact with computer screens for up to six hours at a time (visual acuity required).

• Must have manual dexterity for use of keyboard. Ability to remain stationary for periods of up to four hours. Ability to communicate via phone, mail and in person to resolve disputes, solve problems, etc.

• Capacity to function in a sometimes stressful, multi-tasking environment