Job Title

SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Chief Dental Officer, the Dental Hygienist performs dental prophylactic treatments and instructs individuals and/or groups in the care of their teeth and mouth. The dental hygienist is responsible for primary preventive dental education.PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: (other duties may be assigned): Provides preventive clinical services to include prophylaxis of teeth, application of sealants, oral hygiene education, baby bottle tooth decay education, radiographs, topical fluoride applications, impressions, coronal polishing, and amalgam polishing. Prepares and sets up instruments such as dating all sterilized instruments, ultrasonic cleaning of all dirty instruments prior to bagging, sterilizing all appropriate instruments and putting clean instruments in the dental rooms. Follows all OSHA standards as stated in Regulatory Compliance Manual and MedNorth Health Center Policies and Procedure Manual. Cleans room (s) after each hygiene patient. Wipes chairs, instruments counter, etc., sprays and disinfects room. Rebags room and prepares for the next patient. At the end of the day straightens all operatories in preparation for the next day. Provides the following radiology services: exposes and processed dental radiographs as ordered by the Chief Dental Officer. Assists in maintaining and updating the Radiation Safety Program annually and assists in maintaining and monitoring all dosimeter badges. Keeps the Chief Dental Officer informed of supplies that must be ordered. Restocks rooms with ordered supplies. Develops various oral health education programs for groups in the community, schools, boys and girls clubs, County Health Department and Head Start upon the request of the Chief Dental Officer. Performs all duties as outlined by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. Protects patient confidentiality at all times by complying with patient confidentiality and HIPAA policies. Provides in-service education to the dental staff and provide educational records to the Chief Dental Officer. Serves as the on-site adjunct instructor for dental hygiene students from Cape Fear Community College and the University of Chapel Hill.Corporate Compliance: It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperates with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: NONE. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and procedures as well as applicable North Carolina law (s).NoneADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintain monthly recall system.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required: Graduate of a Dental Hygienist Program. Licensed by the North Carolina Board of Dentistry. Knowledge of standards of practice and procedures in a dental clinic. Possesses the ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and community groups. Possesses the ability to understand technical and medical terminology as they relate to dentistry. Ability to teach.EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Graduate of Dental Hygienist Program. Two years of experience preferred.ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS: The Dental Hygienist must understand medical terminology, accurate keyboarding skills, ability to process work error free -- Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and facsimile machines -- Ability to learn, understand, and use Internet insurance eligibility systemsINTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills -- Excellent telephone etiquette -- Teamwork and communication skills essential -- Treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respectMENTAL ABILITIES: Cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations -- Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements -- Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions -- Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilitiesLANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to speak English fluently -- Spanish speaking or another language is a plusLICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS:Current license by the North Carolina Board of Dentistry.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.The special vision requirements for this job are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions for this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Inside a multi-cultural medical/dental clinic, which delivers comprehensive health care services, including HIV/AIDS treatment to the disadvantaged poor and underserved -- The building is heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer with noise levels of moderate to loud -- Children crying and screaming -- Loud talking patients -- Patients speaking multiple languages at the same time -- Loud speaker and/or paging -- May be subject to exposure to copier toner, correction fluid, bright fluorescent lighting, and continuous personal computer exposureThis job is a Blood borne Pathogens risk category I position.GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:The employee is expected to attend work on a daily basis and to be at work on time.The employee is expected to be a team player.The employee is expected to report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.The employees work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.The employee is expected to have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.The employee is expected to be dependable and is expected to accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.The employee is expected to dress and act in a professional manner and to adhere to all safety standards.The employee is expected to participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality.NOTE: This job description may be changed only with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer, however it should be reviewed at least annually between the employee and the supervisor of the position.