EXTERNSHIP - DENTAL ASSISTING

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.