Dental Assistant Tampa Bay, FL

Primary Purpose

Provides hands‑on support to students, residents, and faculty in the assigned clinic(s); prepares patients for dental treatments and sets up operatories. May sterilize instruments.

• Provides chairside assistance for students, residents, and faculty in designated clinics.
• Plans the set‑up of operatories, instruments, and materials according to scheduled procedures.
• Takes and processes digital x‑rays and dental impressions.
• Assists with obtaining documents of patients’ dental history as well as overall health and medication history.
• Maintains operatories according to proper infection control protocols to ensure adherence to OSHA and infection control regulations.
• Enters data/patient information into electronic health record systems.
• Monitors inventory of dental supplies.
• May monitor oral sedation or general anesthesia procedures.
• May provide postoperative instructions as directed by the dentist.
• May assist with sterilization and dispensing of instruments.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

• General knowledge and understanding of infection control and OSHA protocols.
• Customer and personal service principles and processes.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques and special procedures applicable.
• Knowledge of inventory management practices.
• Knowledge of four‑handed dentistry.
• Knowledge of x‑ray techniques.
• Understanding of HIPAA.
• Proficient knowledge of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access).

• Service orientation – actively looking for ways to help people.
• Complex problem solving – identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and decision making – considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the appropriate one.
• Time management – managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Active listening – giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting.
• Speaking – talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Manual dexterity – skillful, coordinated use of hands to grasp and manipulate objects and demonstrate small, precise movements.
• Oral comprehension & expression – listening to, understanding, and communicating information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences so others will understand.
• Problem sensitivity – recognizing when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.
• Detail oriented – paying attention to details, understanding underlying cause/effect relationships, and accounting for those details.
• Confidentiality – maintaining confidential information.
• Ability to multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment.
• Willingness to provide coverage in other areas/facilities.

• May be exposed to sharp instruments, disposable gloves, and personal protective equipment.
• Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Must be able to speak clearly.
• Must be able to see details at close range.
• Must be able to travel on a daily and/or overnight basis.
• May be required to work nights or weekends.
• Exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
• Required to use various types of equipment and supplies.

High School Diploma or Equivalent.

• Level I: High School Diploma and 1–2 years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program.
• Level II: High School Diploma and 2–4 years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program and minimum 1 year of experience.
• Level III: High School Diploma and 4 or more years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program and minimum 2 years of experience, or completion of a Hygiene or Dental degree.

• Expanded Duties Certificate.
• Radiology Certificate or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Experience using an EHR system and dental terminology, preferably Axium dental software.

NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.