Employment Type : Full-Time
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
EFDA/Dental Assistant (2 positions), PDM, Care Center for Persons with Disabilities
Job Profile Title
Dental Assistant D
Job Description Summary
Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) has been a long-standing leader in clinical excellence due to its strong yet diverse faculty, a highly collaborative relationship with the School of Medicine, and its location within an Ivy League university and a city which is world renowned for health care education. The EFDA/Dental Assistant with PDM's Personalized Care Clinic (PCC) which includes the Care Center for Individuals with Disabilities, will be a key team member supporting the fourth-year dental students and serve various stakeholders including students, faculty, staff and patients.
At Penn Dental Medicine, our students are among the nation's best, and they are matched in quality by the high level of instruction and research among our faculty. Our research encompasses all the basic and clinical sciences, and Penn's emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship encourages collaborations across disciplines. Our clinical care brings the latest techniques and technologies to patients within our teaching clinics and faculty practice. As stewards of the neighborhood in which we reside, Penn Dental Medicine participates in a diversity of community outreach programs, serving area residents while teaching our students to practice with compassion and responsibility.
Job Description
PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES
POSITIVE ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM, with a strong commitment to exceeding patient and team expectations
FLEXIBILITY AND OPENNESS to work as a team in a variety of roles, assignments and duties
TEAM PLAYER a strong desire to be an active, long-term participant in the growth and success of the practice
ABILITY TO ADAPT AND LEARN QUICKLY, make an immediate, sustainable impact, and provide value-added service to patients and team
STRONG COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, displaying the ability to connect and build relationships with team members/peers and patients
CONFIDENCE IN PROFESSIONAL APTITUDE and ability to effectively convey skills, knowledge and qualifications to patients
DESIRED EXPERIENCE & POSITION EXPECTATIONS
Dental Assistants with Penn PCC are responsible for providing and supervising direct chairside assistance, clinical supervision and support of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral dental students, taking radiographs, and assisting with patient behavior support plans. Experience in supporting dental care delivery including preparation of treatment rooms, setting up patient instruments and materials, passing instruments and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice is required of the role. Comfort with treating patients including but not limited to individuals with complex medical concerns, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioral, emotional and cognitive limitations is a must.
Technical School, Certification, or training required beyond High School and minimum of 3 years of practical experience in a dental care facility or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Pennsylvania under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must have passed national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam
Current CPR certification and BLS required.
Employment clearance through the State of PA to work on/with children: as determined through Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Finger Printing Database is required.
Experience with AxiUm a plus.
Community Dental Health Coordinator certification a plus but not required.
PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Demonstrate competence in four-handed dentistry technique, level of knowledge & proficiency in use of current dental materials, instruments and equipment.
Aid in chairside assistance, room set-up and breakdown as needed.
Aid in and provide clear instruction in the preparation of diagnostic data, digital imaging, digital intraoral & diagnostic photos.
Supervise patient preparation for dental treatment by observing and assisting students with welcoming, comforting, seating, draping the patient and obtaining/updating medical history and patient vitals.
Supervise and aid dental students in developing and creating patient environment consistent with patient behavior support plans.
Assist with medical immobilization and/or protective stabilization as needed and outlined in patient behavior support plans.
Supervise and may document dental care services by charting in patient records. Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
Provides materials by assisting students in the proper selection, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth.
Expose necessary digital x-rays.
Assist students in pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
Fabricate as well as supervise/advise students in fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliance
Educate and motivate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and assists in scheduling subsequent visits.
OPERATIONS
Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
To date, clinical hours are Monday through Friday 7:30AM - 5:30PM; flexibility in scheduling is required for all positions (9 hours/day).
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing and supporting as assigned.
Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques as needed.
Work Conditions & Expectations
A dental assistant needs the use of both hands, dexterity in the fingers and the ability to manipulate instruments, materials, dental hand pieces, and operate dental equipment. The use of feet is necessary to manipulate the rheostat for hand pieces or other dental equipment. Must be able to work from a dental stool in order to perform most dental procedures. The ability to sit and stand for duration of time is also necessary. Other specific requirements include; manual dexterity/motor coordination, hand-eye coordination, physical communications; visual acuity and color spectrum differentiation. Individuals in this position may be exposed to the following: bloodborne pathogens; chemical hazards (skin irritants); vibrating equipment; use of sharp instruments.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
School of Dental Medicine
Pay Range
$20.00 - $36.00
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with familywhatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitementand you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay