Position Title: Dental Assistant – Student Extern Status: Unpaid Externship Department: Dental Supervisor: Assistant Dental Director PRIMARY PURPOSE The purpose of externship opportunities for students rotating at Lorain County Health & Dentistry is to provide a community health center environment to further expand class based learning and competencies in a clinical setting. Externs are expected to follow all procedures and policies accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry employment and clinical practices. Externs are expected to follow these procedures and policies in the same manner and standard as employed LCH&D staff. All care and services are provided in accordance with Lorain County Health & Dentistry’s philosophy of “partnership” with patients while integrating its values of Respect, Quality, Compassion and Hope. All student extern work-based learning components will be in alignment with the student’s school and program requirements and will be unpaid. Learning Objectives to Be Achieved • Welcome and drape patients. • Review patient’s medical and oral history. • Develop clinical competency in the area of Diagnostic Radiographs • Develop clinical competency in areas of 4 handed dental procedures, including: Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery Procedures, and Endodontics. • Coordinate and oversee patient flow, assuring patients are seated timely and appropriately. • Assure the clinical area meets or exceeds quality and regulatory standards. • Removes all instruments and tools from treatment room after use and processes them for sterilization. • Assists in preparing trays and setting up for all procedures. • Cleans and sets up treatment rooms for scheduled procedures. • Prepares, Decontaminates, and disinfects instruments, tray set up and instrument sterilization. • Manages general house cleaning tasks. • Break down and set up operatories. • Maintains lab counter areas keeping them clean and free of clutter. • Document and maintain accurate sterilization records. • Collect, store and ensure proper disposal of biohazards and sharps waste. • Be knowledgeable of spill containment and clean up. • Must maintain accurate records and ensure all patient records are maintained accurately by those who report them. • Must maintain HIPPA policy at all times. • Must sustain infection prevention standards at all times per company policy. • Must demonstrate clinical competence in all areas of assigned job functions. PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES • Local travel required. • Attend meetings and trainings as directed. PHYSICAL DEMANDS • Fine and gross motor skills will be frequently employed. • Some lifting of supplies and equipment up to 50 lbs. • Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Current enrollment in an accredited Dental Assisting education program • Desire to pursue dental career and willingness to grow and participate in hands on Dental Assistant training. • Desire to pursue Ohio Radiographer license and training to produce competent diagnostic radiographs • Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor and communicate enthusiastically with patients. • Ability to be responsive in working with a culturally-diverse patient population. • Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to master a therapeutic communication approach. • Ability to independently complete multiple tasks. • Ability to work cooperatively with others. • Ability to efficiently and effectively support a team.