Dental Assistant / Registered Dental Assistant – Spanish Speaking Preferred – Extra Help (Open)

Description

Are you a dedicated and motivated Dental Assistant who enjoys being part of a team of professionals who provide exceptional dental care to the community and patients in need? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment where the rewards are many? If so, then the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Dental Clinics have an exciting career opportunity for you!

The San Mateo Medical Center operates five dental clinics located in San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City, Half Moon Bay, and a Mobile Dental Clinic. These clinics treat children and adults, homeless and transitional populations, and patients with HIV diagnosis. Pregnant women on Medi-Cal can also obtain dental services in these clinics covered by the Ryan White grant.

All Clinics are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM and some Saturdays and evenings. The Fair Oaks Health Center in Redwood City is staffed with an oral surgeon and pedodontics, and the San Mateo Clinic is staffed with an oral surgeon. The Fair Oaks Health Center and the Mobile Dental Clinic host dental students from the University of the Pacific and University of San Francisco to aid in patient care.

The Dental Assistant Series levels include:

Dental Assistant ($25.77 – $32.20 Hourly) is the experienced level class in the Dental Assistant series, competent to independently perform the full range of journey-level dental assisting work under the supervision of a dentist. This class is flexibly staffed with the II level and incumbents may advance to the higher level after obtaining required certification and demonstrating the required proficiency for the II level.

Registered Dental Assistant ($30.46 – $38.08 Hourly) is the advanced journey-level classification in the series. Under the supervision of a dentist, incumbents at this level perform dental assisting duties which are limited to a person certified as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in addition to performing Dental Assistant duties of the lower classification.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a team player, self-starter, and multi-tasker;
• be capable of scheduling appointments and processing insurance claims, and have pedodontia experience; 
• possess good organizational skills.

We are seeking individuals who are motivated and demonstrate the willingness to learn and adapt to new situations. All Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants rotate and should be available to work at any of our dental clinics. Transportation to each work site is the employee’s responsibility. The current vacancies are Part-Time, Extra Help positions. Spanish speaking is preferred, but not required. 

NOTE: This Job Announcement was edited on May 16, 2023 regarding the definition of the extra help assignment. This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra-help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.

Examples Of Duties

As an SMMC Dental Assistant, you will:

• Prepare patients for dental treatment.
• Assist the dentist at chairside.
• Mix cements, work with composite, amalgam and impression materials.
• Respond to the oral hygiene needs of a low-income population.
• Take digital x-rays.
• Respond to patient emergencies.
• Maintain office and equipment in a sanitary and orderly condition.
• Enter information into patient’s electronic record.
• Triage drop-in patients.
• Gather and complete necessary insurance information and forms.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is completion of a course of instruction for dental assistants.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Certificate of examination for radiation safety from the California Board of Dental Examiners.
• Possession of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• To qualify for the II-Level, possession of a valid California License as Registered Dental Assistant issued by the California Board of Dental Examiners. 

Knowledge of:

• Preparation of patients for examination.
• Methods of use, care and sterilization of instruments and equipment.
• Dental hygiene instruction and prophylaxis or coronal polish (for RDA level).
• Dental X-ray techniques and safety procedures.
• Dental terminology.
• Office procedures and record keeping.

Skill/Ability to:

• Take, develop and evaluate dental X-rays.
• Work tactfully with patients and other personnel under stressful conditions.
• Respond appropriately to patient emergencies during treatment or surgery.

Application/Examination

This is an extra-help recruitment. Anyone may apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Application materials will be reviewed as they are received and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. 

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County’s website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County’s website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Apply immediately. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. This posting is open on a continuous basis and selection may be made at any time within the process. 

The County of San Mateo may require that all employees provide proof of COVID-19 vaccine. Employees hired into specified healthcare facilities and other high-risk settings where there is potential for frequent COVID-19 exposure to staff and highly vulnerable patients are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. For more specific information, please refer to the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Policy. 

County of San Mateo is a diverse, inclusive workplace, where employees are valued and respected for their different perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and contributions. 

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (02012023) (Dental Assistant I/II – F039/F063)

Please visit www.smcgov.org/media/100151/download?inline= for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.

Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.

As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.

County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.

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