Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.Reporting to the Head, Department of Dentistry, supervises Assistants and performs related booking, chair-side and clerical duties.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Provides daily supervision to Assistants regarding all aspects of departmental activity such as organization of work area, supplies and equipment and file maintenance.  Resolves work related problems and provides input to Department Head for performance review purposes.
• Co ordinates schedules for dental professional staff by: prioritizing and scheduling patient appointments for the dental clinic and for O.R. procedures; organizing the acquisition of supporting documentation for patient visits; and making changes/adjustments as needed.  
• Screens patients and assesses dental needs to set priorities for dental visits; schedules appointments according to urgency of need, ensuring continuity of sequential appointments.
• Ensures patient charts are requested for scheduled appointments; checks patient chart and treatment plan for completeness and follows-up on missing documentation according to procedure.  Files treatment plans alphabetically.
• In consultation with medical/dental staff, adjusts appointment schedules according to emergent needs.  Communicates changes in schedules to patients, staff and those affected.
• Performs all the chair-side duties of a dental assistant.  Makes impressions to fabricate gel carriers; constructs and fits custom gel carriers and instructs patients on how to use.  Fabricates bite blocks and gingival protectors in preparation for radiotherapy procedures.  Provides home care instruction to patients.
• Maintains a double entry system on content of file, logs all work and photographs; boxes and files study models, files photographs, dictation, reports, letters and laboratory reports until further follow-up is required by the Dentist.
• Completes purchase orders for dental supplies as prescribed by the Dentist and requisitions for Department supplies.  Ensures an adequate inventory of materials is on hand.  
• Ensures equipment is functioning, performs general maintenance and logs information according to procedure.  Reports malfunctions in equipment and arranges for repair of such by following established routine service procedures.
• Orients students, residents, visitors and other staff to practices in the Dental Clinic.
• Develops and maintains department and resident procedure manuals with information relevant to the performance of Certified Dental Assistant functions.
• Maintains departmental statistics and monthly statistics on Dental Clinic workload for budget purposes.
• Using computer software, maintains files such as supply lists and the denture waiting list.
• Assists in creating patient information pamphlets as required and follows the appropriate policies to have them approved for patient use.
• Calls for, gathers together and collates data from medical/dental charts to assist in the design and implementation of clinical studies.  Recruits patients for approved studies according to protocol guidelines.
• Applies topical Chemotherapy to oral lesions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Completion of Grade 12.  Completion of a recognized Certified Dental Assistant program.  
• Current registration with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C.  
• Two years of recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
  
  

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate and deal effectively with all levels of staff, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to supervise.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.