DENTAL ASSISTANT 1. POSITION JOB TITLE: Dental Assistant ...

DENTAL ASSISTANT
1. POSITION
JOB TITLE:
Dental Assistant - Central and South Taranaki
REPORTS TO:
Dental Assistant Coordinator - Central and
South Taranaki
Manager – Community OHS
FUNCTION:
Community Oral Health Service
DATE:
October 2013
2. PURPOSE OF POSITION
To provide support and assistance to dental clinicians in clinical and administrative procedures to
enhance the time management, workload management and clinic function.
3. DIMENSIONS
Current Year
Number of people reporting to you 0
Financial limits authority 0
Operating Budget 0
4. ACCOUNTABILITIES
Organisational Environment
Principal Dental Team Accountabilities
Provides clinical assistance with optimum patient care
Means (how you will achieve it)
1. Provides clinical and clerical support and assistance to
dental therapists and dentists
• Under the direction and supervision of the dental
clinician.
• Complying with legislation and TDHB policies and
procedures and dental service protocols.
• Queries and concerns are referred to the dental
clinician.
2. Follows the plan and instructions of the clinician, which
will include:
• Assisting with clinical procedures. Such as mixing
materials, prior tray set up, obtaining additional
instruments hygienically, enabling 4-handed
dentistry.
Associated Measures
Initial orientation and ongoing
training in the functions of this
position
Performance appraisal
Customer feedback
Dental equipment is in a
serviceable state

• Developing and assembling of radiographs when
required.
• Communicating with patients and parents to aid the
efficient functioning of the clinic.
• Enables a smooth transition from patient to patient.
3. Cleanliness of clinical area is maintained to comply
with Taranaki DHB infection control protocols
including:
• Scrubbing of instruments to remove debris and
autoclaving.
• Carrying out cross infection control procedures and
documenting issues.
Administration and Support
To perform delegated duties necessary for service delivery and to enhance service provision
Means (how you will achieve it)
1. Maintain accurate records and correspondence
pertaining to relevant patients.
2. Appropriate forms are issued to patients.
3. Patient records are available for clinicians whilst
maintaining client confidentiality and data protection
procedures.
4. Booking of follow-up treatment appointments and
administration of “Did Not Attend” under the direction
of the dental clinician.
5. Stock levels of consumables, stationery and resources
are monitored and maintained for service provision.
Performance appraisal
Customer feedback
Provide cover and support to
Receptionist positions as required
Health and Safety
To participate in and comply with all the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act
1992
Means (how you will achieve it)
1. Work practices ensure safety for self and others.
2. Seek advice or assistance before commencing an
unfamiliar work practice.
Performance appraisal
3. Control plans are documented and hazards are Health and safety delegate reports
identified, minimised and isolated.
4. Complies with Taranaki DHB incident reporting policy. Incident report forms
5. Emergency management procedures and compulsory /
compliance education and training completed.
6. Follow legislative requirements of the Health and
Disability Act.
7. Monitor overall cleanliness of facility and report
deficiencies.
8. Report on consumables and equipment deficiencies.
Team Responsibility
Individual responsibilities, actions and contributions will enhance the success of the team
Means (how you will achieve it)
1. Participates as a member of the dental team.
2. Impart and share knowledge within the team and with
other health professionals.
3. Behaviour demonstrates cultural appropriateness and
sensitivity.
Staff Meetings
Performance appraisal
Customer feedback
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Personal and Professional Development
Assumes responsibility for personal and professional development
Means (how you will achieve it)
1. Identifies education and training needs.
2. Maintains and/or extends knowledge and skill base
required for effective performance.
3. Participates in performance review annually.
Course attendance records
Performance appraisal
Customer feedback
Mobile Units and Fixed Facility
Assumes responsibility for the functionality of the work areas
Means (how you will achieve it)
1. Adheres to work environment protocols and procedures
of the relevant mobile unit or fixed facility as allocated.
Performance appraisal
Customer feedback
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6. CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Capabilities are the behaviours demonstrated by a person performing the job. Capabilities identify
what makes a person most effective in a role. Those listed below are expected for the Dental team
roles in the organisation. The required capabilities can change as the organisation develops and the
roles change.
Capabilities
Effective Communication
Shares well thought out, concise and timely information with others using appropriate mediums.
Ensures information gets to the appropriate people within the organisation to facilitate effective
decision making.
Decision Making / Problem Solving
Demonstrates effective and timely decision making / problem solving techniques. Aware of the
impact of decisions on key stakeholders and consults as appropriate utilizing available resources. Is
proactive and effective when problem solving is required. Ensures decision making complies with
organisational strategies.
Commitment to Excellence
Sets challenging goals for personal achievement and continually strives to reach or exceed them in
the pursuit of excellence. Seeks opportunities to improve their performance and seeks feedback to
measure and improve how they are doing. Focuses on results rather than on efforts.
Life-long / Ongoing Learning
Demonstrates a commitment to and takes responsibility for ongoing professional development. Is
constantly striving to acquire and maintain knowledge, skills or experience related to the position.
Innovation / Initiative
Continually strives for new and improved work processes that will result in greater effectiveness
and efficiencies. Questions traditional ways of doing things when choosing a course of action or
finds new combinations of old elements to form an innovatve solution.
Resilience / Flexibility
Articulates differing perspectives on a problem and will see the merit of alternative points of view.
Will change or modify own opinons and will switch to other strategies when necessary. Adjusts
behaviour to the demands of the work environment in order to remain porductive through periods of
transition, ambiguity, uncertainty and stress. Manages cultural ambiguity and conflicting priorities
well.
Cultural Safety
Demonstrates a commitment to cultural safety by meeting and exceeding the cultural needs of
clients / customers / colleagues.
Teamwork
Works to build team spirit, facilitates resolution of conflict within the team, promotes/protects team
reputation, shows commitment to contributing to the teams success. Understands concepts of
whanaungatanga and manaakitanga and Maori cultural orientation to whanau, hapu and iwi.
Builds Trust / Displays Integrity
Maintains and promotes high standards of social, ethical and organisational norms.
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7. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Education, Skill and Experience
Previous dental assisting experience desirable
Previous dental clerical experience desirable
Knowledge of basic computer skills
What aspect of your job requires
this
• Main function of role
• Efficient management of the clinic
• Computing aspects
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