Oral Health Team Assistant

Oral Health Therapy Assistant

Notice: Candidates must be available to work two Saturdays per month and be willing to travel to various JWCH locations as needed.

JWCH Institute, Inc. is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a mission to provide comprehensive health care to low-income and homeless individuals in the County of Los Angeles.

For many people, gaining access to dental care isn't simply a matter of finding the nearest dentist. Some may face language and cultural issues that keep them from connecting with dental providers. Others may lack insurance coverage, transportation or childcare that would make it easier for them to visit the dentist. JWCH works to assist patients with navigating barriers and helping them achieve better oral health and improved overall health outcomes.

Position Purpose:

This position is responsible for explaining the benefits of good oral health and potential care options to patients and their families, as well as handling basic patient marketing activities for the Dental Department at various company and non-company sites. Additionally, this position will schedule and confirm appointments and provide basic administrative, clerical, and technical support services for the Dental Department. The OHT Assistant is also responsible for inventory management and supply ordering for oral health screenings and outreach events. The OHT Dental Assistant serves as a liaison between the Dental Clinics and the Medical Clinics in scheduling on-site oral health screenings. The position also involves community outreach at various company and non-company sites.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Prepare and deliver oral health presentations, explaining the benefits of good oral health and potential care options to patients and their families at various sites.
• Set up and coordinate all aspects of health fairs and other community outreach activities.
• Maintain marketing and educational materials, communicate basic oral health instructions, and provide giveaways (e.g., educational flyers, oral hygiene bags, etc.) to patients.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned by the Dental Director.
• Schedule and confirm appointments and perform reminder calls.
• Verify insurance eligibility and conduct financial screenings.
• Proactively manage patient flow to reduce cycle time and enhance the patient experience.
• Input all patient information into the practice management system.
• Assist patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions, and providing directions as authorized by the dentist.
• Coordinate oral health screenings at the medical and dental clinics and communicate with the medical care team to ensure screenings are completed and daily goals are met. Perform independent procedures as delegated by the dentist in accordance with state regulations, law, and Department directives and protocols.
• Maintain adequate supply operation and compile a list of item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintain a list of all scheduled oral health screening patients, monitor patient flow, and assist the dentist(s) in ensuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
• Receive and place necessary telephone calls, consistent with professional etiquette.
• Ensure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directives, clinic policies, as well as state and federal regulations.
• Participate in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site, as required.
• Maintain Dental Department compliance with infection exposure control, safety, and HIPAA regulations as required by local, state, and federal guidelines, Dental Department directives and protocols, and clinic policies and procedures.
• Maintain predictable and regular attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Effective written and oral communication skills.
2. An outgoing personality is a MUST.
3. Comprehensive knowledge of dental assisting techniques and procedures across all phases of general dentistry.
4. Knowledge of modern dental materials, including their storage, handling, and applications.
5. Ability to work with people from a wide variety of social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
6. Ability to work creatively with other healthcare professionals from various disciplines to achieve optimal results for the clinic's patients, within an integrated primary healthcare system.
7. Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols.
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Word & Excel, email, electronic record systems, attachments, and online applications.

Physical Requirements:

1. Prolonged sitting or standing may be required. These physical movements, along with the degree of mobility, manual dexterity, and hand-eye coordination typically associated with dental assisting in both specialty and general practice dentistry, will be performed on a repetitive basis.
2. Travel to sites/programs and special functions will be required.
3. Working under stressful conditions and irregular hours may be required.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance:

1. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation, and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely occur.
2. OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Classification - Category I.
3. Utilizes appropriate infection control protocols.
4. May be exposed to low-level radiation.
5. Will be exposed to outdoor environmental conditions while traveling.

DA Education and Experience:

1. High school diploma or GED certificate required.
2. Active Class A driver's license required.
3. Customer service experience preferred.
4. Knowledge of specific issues related to oral health education for children, adolescents, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions such as HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
5. Completion of accredited courses in dental assisting.
6. Radiation safety certificate required.
7. 8-hour infection control course per California Dental Board guidelines and current CPR and First Aid certificates required.
8. Coronal Polish certificate required as of January 1, 2025.
9. Bilingual: English/Spanish required.

*All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employee Benefits:

At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you'll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
• Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
• Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!

Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.

JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.