Part Time Dental Assistant/Patient Care Coordinator

Overview

Job Summary: Clinic by the Bay is looking for a Dental Assistant/Patient Coordinator who will collaborate with our dental director and volunteer dental team in providing high-quality dental care and assist in supporting medical patients with accessing and following up with referrals in the community. The candidate must demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in both English and Spanish. In addition, the ability to stay organized and efficient is essential, as this position involves regular multi-tasking and continuous follow-up with patients, providers, referrals, and outside agencies.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Registered Dental Assistant will assist the dentist in the provision of high-quality care with the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care for dental assistants. Approximately 75% of the 20 hour week will be dedicated to dental patient care and 25% will be dedicated to administration tasks of coordinating dental and medical referrals.

Dental Assisting responsibilities:

• Acts as a liaison with volunteer dentists, hygienist, and assistants, especially related to clinical operations
• Prepares and maintains dental instruments, supplies and equipment; prepares the operatory for the patient visit
• Seats patient in chair and explains procedures to be performed; Collects and records patient health histories
• Sets up instrument tray containing instruments, suction, gauze and other required supplies. Prepares dental materials for prophylaxis, SRP, composite, amalgam, extraction procedures. Manages the patient during dental procedures and assists in the prevention and management of dental emergencies. Provides active chairside assistance; transfers instruments as appropriate for four-handed dentistry; anticipates the dentist’s needs
• Takes and prepares radiographs using digital intraoral sensors (Dexis Sensors) and following proper radiation safety precautions
• Assists with taking intraoral photos with intraoral camera
• Assists with dental charting and note taking in Curve Dental Software
• At the conclusion of the procedure, assists patient, clears work site of instruments and other materials; follows proper infection control protocols and prepares the operatory for the next patient
• Performs, monitors and records all sterilization activities. Maintains proper aseptic techniques necessary with dental equipment; maintains and properly sterilizes instruments; help to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards
• Routinely cleans, disinfects and restocks operatories
• Maintain and inventory dental supplies and works with Dental Director to reorder as necessary; track and verify invoices.
• Performs miscellaneous duties within Clinic by the Bay as assigned

Patient Coordinator Responsibilities:

• Provide Case Management services and Referral services for clinic patients based on our established clinic protocols.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for the clinic with Spanish interpretation, and reception coverage.
• Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of scanning patient documents.
• Review and process requests for the release of all medical records under the supervision of clinic management.
• Other administrative and clinical support duties as assigned by clinic management.

Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• 1 – 2 years work experience or equivalent skills.
• Self-motivated and flexible
• Understanding of non-profit settings preferred. Genuine passion in caring for the underserved and inspiring civic engagement. Commitment to the mission and values of Clinic by the Bay and Volunteers in Medicine (https://www.clinicbythebay.org/about)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Google suite and familiarity with database management systems and effective communication skills in both English and Spanish is required. Strong people skills and ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary paid staff and volunteers.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and priorities effectively and professionally. Demonstrated ability to always maintain confidentiality of privileged information. Punctuality and professional appearance.

Education: Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification is not required but would add to a candidate’s application

• Current CPR certificate
• Current Infection Control Certificate
• Current Dental Practice Act Certificate
• CA Radiation Safety Certification (not required but highly recommended)

About Clinic by the Bay: Clinic by The Bay (www.clinicbythebay.org) is a free, volunteer-powered primary medical and dental clinic in San Francisco. Located in the Excelsior neighborhood, the clinic is based on the successful national model- The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (previously known as Volunteers in Medicine) (https://nafcclinics.org/) that engages retired & practicing doctors, dentists, nurses, and non-medical volunteers to provide compassionate care, free-of-charge, to the working uninsured. Our mission is to understand and serve, with dignity and respect, the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Our medical clinic has been providing free care to patients since 2010 and we provide primary care services in house and work with a network of local hospitals to connect our patients for referred specialty care.

In late 2023, we moved to a newly renovated clinic location and have a two-chair dental suite to provide free dental examination, full mouth intraoral radiographs, adult prophylaxis, topical fluoride treatment, non-surgical periodontal therapy, simple fillings, and simple extractions.