Dental Assistant - 991797 (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 the 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.

• Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Knowledge
    • 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 to work performed.
    • Knowledge of inventory management practices.
    • Knowledge of four‑handed dentistry.
    • Proficient knowledge of x‑ray techniques.
    • General knowledge and understanding of HIPAA.
    • Proficient knowledge of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access).
  • Skills
    • Service orientation – actively looking for ways to help people.
    • Complex problem solving – identifying complex problems and evaluating options.
    • Judgment and decision making – considering costs and benefits to choose appropriate action.
    • Time management – managing one's own time and the time of others.
    • Active listening – giving full attention to others’ communication.
    • Speaking – conveying information effectively.
  • Abilities
    • Manual dexterity – skillful, coordinated hand movements for precise tasks.
    • Oral comprehension & expression – understanding and communicating spoken information.
    • Problem sensitivity – recognizing potential problems.
    • Detail oriented – paying attention to details and underlying cause/effect relationships.
    • Confidentiality – maintaining confidential information.
    • Multi‑tasking in a fast‑paced environment.
    • Willingness to provide coverage in other areas or facilities.
• Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
  • May be exposed to sharp instruments, disposable gloves, and personal protective equipment.
  • Must be able to identify and understand speech of another person.
  • Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Must have near vision for details at close range.
  • Must be able to travel on a daily and/or overnight basis.
  • May be required to work nights or weekends.
  • May be exposed to short, intermittent, or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing while performing duties.
  • Must be able to accomplish duties using various equipment and supplies including syringes, latex gloves, pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.
• Required Education High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Required Experience
  • 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 at least 1 year of experience.
  • Level III: High School Diploma and 4+ years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program with at least 2 years of experience, or completion of a Hygiene or Dental degree.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Expanded Duties Certificate.
  • Radiology Certificate or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
  • Experience with an electronic health record system and dental terminology, preferably Axium dental software.
• Background Screening Required Yes.

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.