Professional Opportunity: Dental Hygienist - PHDHP

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES—
Performs dental measures designed to preserve teeth and prevent the spread of oral disease by performing the following duties without authorization, assignment or examination by a dentist:
• Performs topical fluoride treatments*
• Screens and evaluates patients for dental caries, periodontal disease and medical history*
• Performs supra and sub-gingival scaling and curettage; performs root planning*
• Performs gross debridement in treatment of acute periodontal conditions*
• Conditioning of teeth for and application of dental sealants*
• Initiates dental prevention/dental education*
• Performs oral cancer screenings*
• Analyzes dental records and formulates effective therapeutic treatment plans*
• Performs oral radiography*
• Provides timely responses to patient and NSCHC employee inquiries*
• Assists in training of dental assistants and new dental hygienists*
• Completes thorough and timely clinical documentation in EMR*
• Refers each patient to a licensed dentist on an annual basis and maintains documentation of the referral in patient’s dental record*
• Consistently practices universal precautions*
• Participates in health promotion, education, prevention programs*
• Administers local anesthesia by regional injection in accordance with Pa. Code 33.115
• Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments*
• Assists in ordering dental supplies and materials*
• Provides reminders of next hygiene visit to patients and manages clinic’s recall system*
• Collaborates with medical and behavioral health staff to provide interdisciplinary care to patients*
• Assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients*
• Performs all other related duties as assigned and reacts positively to change*

Meets professional behavior expectations as evidenced by compliance with the following standards:
• Serves as role model for all employees, displaying professional courtesy and compassionate care of patients*
• Meets professional behavioral expectations of attendance, appearance, professionalism, communication*
• Demonstrates an ability to resolve interpersonal and professional conflicts appropriately*
• Participates in staff meetings, trainings and committees*
• Keeps all matters related to the organization confidential in compliance with confidentiality policy*
• Assumes responsibility for work performance and is able to be self-directed*
• Takes pride in job performance as evident in compliance with job responsibilities
• Works evenings and weekends as scheduled*
• Available for meetings during scheduled administrative time*
[*denotes essential job functions]