Dental Assistant

Overview

Cognito LLC a Planned Systems International (PSI) joint venture, is seeking a Dental Assistant to support the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) at the Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Los Fresnos, TX.

The selected candidate will perform dental assisting duties that facilitate the work of the dentist and dental hygienist including chairside assisting, instrument processing, sterilization, infection control, radiographic duties, dental equipment upkeep, and administrative tasks as directed by the dentist within prescribed policy and accreditation standards.

• Be a Part of the Team: Cognito, is a Mentor-Protégé Joint Venture between QuarterLine Consulting Services and Resolution Think. Cognito is completely committed to providing high-quality service to our customers and to delivering world-class healthcare. 
• The Benefits: Our team offers competitive compensation packages, a full range of benefits, continuing education, and excellent work-life balance to ensure your success.
• Type of Work: Full-Time
• Location: Port Isabel Service Processing Center - Los Fresnos, TX

Essential Functions and Job Responsibilities

• Provides dental assisting including clinical and administrative duties to facilitate the work of the dentist and dental hygienist in a detention and/or residential setting in accordance with prescribed IHSC policy and pertinent accreditation standards.
• Assists the dentist and dental hygienist with patient treatment including all operatory set-up and clean-up procedures in accordance with IHSC policy and CDC guidelines (e.g. surface disinfection, waterline and suction treatment, proper sharps handling/disposal methods, etc).
• Performs optimum sterilization and/or disinfection procedures including instrument processing, autoclave operation/maintenance, and spore testing in accordance with IHSC policy and CDC guidelines.
• Assists with the maintenance of patient's record through appointment scheduling, documentation of subjective findings, vital signs, dictated oral conditions, and preparation/completion of dental forms.
• Provides patient education including oral hygiene instructions, post-operative instructions, and availability of care instructions.
• Takes digital and/or film radiographs as ordered including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays.
• Observes IHSC radiation safety protocols, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radiation Protection Guidance and recommendations, National Council on Radiation Protection Guidance, and American Dental Association recommendations/guidance when exposing dental radiographs to assure optimal patient and provider safety.
• Maintains sharps and instrument accountability in the dental clinic through performance and logging of daily inventory of all sharps and instruments at the beginning and end of each workday.
• Maintains all required logs/ inventories to include but not limited to biological monitoring log, biopsy log, sharps log, instrument log, chemical inventory, maintenance logs, etc.
• Collects and organizes dental data and submits to the regional dental consultant in a timely manner.
• Attends monthly dental teleconferences, organizational and local duty station meetings.
• May periodically be asked to travel to support dental care at other sites.
• Performs duties in support of the local medical unit and/or IHSC Dental Program (e.g. equipment maintenance, supply/equipment acquisition, performance improvement initiatives, document scanning, etc).
• In the absence of the dentist and/or dental hygienist, the dental assistant will provide support services to the medical clinic under the direction of the supervisory authority or designee (e.g. performing vital signs and/or other duties within the scope of dental assistant practice).
• Adheres to and maintains awareness of all IHSC policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda and accreditation standards.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree/Education: Applicant must demonstrate successful completion of a dental assisting program located in the United States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territory.
• Experience: Applicant must have at least one-year recent clinical experience in the United Sates as a practicing dental assistant.
• Certification:
  • Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association.
  • Must hold and maintain a current unrestricted dental assisting certificate, license, or registration as required by the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) in the state in which the duty station is located.
  • Must hold and maintain dental x-ray certification as required by the SBDE in the state in which the duty station is located OR if the applicant practices in a state that does not certify radiology or does not allow certification for graduates of non-accredited programs, the applicant must submit evidence of dental radiology training, experience, and competence as determined by the employing agency.
  • Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification is preferred but not required.
• Credentialing: Ability to pass background check and drug screen. Current physical and immunizations.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental assisting principles such as four handed dentistry, basic oral anatomy, dental materials, infection control, dental radiology technique and safety.
• Must adhere to requirements for safety, infection control, quality assurance, documentation, and data management.
• Completes and passes all competency testing initially, annually, and as needed.
• Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written).
• Ability to respond to and assist with medical emergencies.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
• Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web based training and communications.
• Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records and information (HIPAA/Privacy Act) and applicable accreditation standards.

Desired Qualifications

• Certification:
  • Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification is preferred but not required.

Physical Demands

• The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or jogging unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment.
• The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.
• Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building during an emergency.

Company Benefits

PSI offers full-time, benefits eligible employees a competitive total compensation package that includes paid leave, and options for employer sponsored group medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, AD&D coverage, legal services, identity theft, and accident insurance. Flexible spending account and health saving account options offer pre-tax savings for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses. The company sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has an employer contribution match that is immediately vested. We invest in the professional growth of our employees through professional courses, certifications, and tuition reimbursement programs.

EEO Commitment

It is company policy to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination, are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources by emailing [email protected], or by dialing 703-575-8400.