Externship - Dental Assisting

Position: EXTERNSHIP - DENTAL ASSISTING
Position Title:

Dental Assistant - Student Extern

Status:
Unpaid Externship

Department:
Dental

Supervisor:
Assistant Dental Director

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The purpose of externship opportunities for students rotating at Lorain County Health & Dentistry is to provide a community health center environment to further expand class based learning and competencies in a clinical setting. Externs are expected to follow all procedures and policies accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry employment and clinical practices. Externs are expected to follow these procedures and policies in the same manner and standard as employed LCH&D staff.

All care and services are provided in accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry's philosophy of "partnership" with patients while integrating its values of Respect, Quality, Compassion and Hope.

All student extern work-based learning components will be in alignment with the student's school and program requirements and will be unpaid.

Learning Objectives to Be Achieved

* Welcome and drape patients.

* Review patient's medical and oral history.

* Develop clinical competency in the area of Diagnostic Radiographs

* Develop clinical competency in areas of 4 handed dental procedures, including:
Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery Procedures, and Endodontics.

* Coordinate and oversee patient flow, assuring patients are seated timely and appropriately.

* Assure the clinical area meets or exceeds quality and regulatory standards.

* Removes all instruments and tools from treatment room after use and processes them for sterilization.

* Assists in preparing trays and setting up for all procedures.

* Cleans and sets up treatment rooms for scheduled procedures.

* Prepares, Decontaminates, and disinfects instruments, tray set up and instrument sterilization.

* Manages general house cleaning tasks.

* Break down and set up operatories.

* Maintains lab counter areas keeping them clean and free of clutter.

* Document and maintain accurate sterilization records.

* Collect, store and ensure proper disposal of biohazards and sharps waste.

* Be knowledgeable of spill containment and clean up.

* Must maintain accurate records and ensure all patient records are maintained accurately by those who report them.

* Must maintain HIPPA policy at all times.

* Must sustain infection prevention standards at all times per company policy.

* Must demonstrate clinical competence in all areas of assigned job functions.

PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

* Local travel required.

* Attend meetings and trainings as directed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

* Fine and gross motor skills will be frequently employed.

* Some lifting of supplies and equipment up to 50 lbs.

* Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Current enrollment in an accredited Dental Assisting education program

* Desire to pursue dental career and willingness to grow and participate in hands on Dental Assistant training.

* Desire to pursue Ohio Radiographer license and training to produce competent diagnostic radiographs

* Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor and communicate enthusiastically with patients.

* Ability to be responsive in working with a culturally-diverse patient population.

* Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to master a therapeutic communication approach.

* Ability to independently complete multiple tasks.

* Ability to work cooperatively with others.

* Ability to efficiently and effectively support a team.