OPS DENTAL ASSISTANT - 64858655

 Pay Plan: [[custSubGroup]]

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This is an Open Competitive Advertisement

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is part of the Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH Bay) Children's Dentistry Clinic team, providing dental services to a diverse population of under-served children through age of 20. Responsibilities include maintaining patient information in accordance with state and federal statutes, rules, regulations, and DOH policies, protocols, and procedures. Accurately and timely enters and documents patient oral health information in electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provides chair-side dental assisting and clinical support to the dentist during examinations and treatment procedures, including restorations, extractions, pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns, and preventive services. Utilizes four-handed dentistry techniques to ensure efficient and effective delivery of care. Seats patients, reviews and records medical and dental histories, obtains vital signs, and documents findings and treatment in the patient record.

Prepares, maintains, and breaks down operatory rooms between patients to ensure readiness and compliance with infection control standards. Exposes and processes intra-oral dental diagnostic x-rays in accordance with state regulations.

Performs expanded duties as permitted by law and training, including application of fluoride, sealants, and other preventive procedures as directed by the dentist. Provides patients and caregivers with oral hygiene education, as well as pre-operative and post-operative instructions, referrals, and general treatment information in a culturally competent manner. Supports patients with anxiety, special needs, or language barriers to ensure a positive care experience.

Maintains strict adherence to CDC and OSHA infection control guidelines. Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments using ultrasonic cleaners and autoclave equipment; performs spore testing and waterline monitoring; and maintains required sterilization logs. Ensures proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with bio-hazard and bloodborne pathogen disposal regulations. Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment, including lubrication of handpieces and upkeep of operatory and clinical systems.

Monitors and maintains adequate levels of clinical supplies, ensuring operatories are fully stocked and organized for daily operations. Assists with inventory tracking and ordering of supplies as needed.

Supports clinic operations by assisting with patient scheduling, maintaining efficient clinic flow, and ensuring all documentation is accurate and compliant with HIPAA and DOH requirements.

Participates in public health initiatives by assisting with community outreach events, supporting mobile or off-site dental clinics, and promoting preventive dental care and access to services. Assists with tracking program metrics and outcomes as required.

Works collaboratively with dental and clinic staff to maintain a safe, clean, and efficient work environment. Participates in shared responsibilities, including sterilization room duties, and attends required staff meetings, trainings, and seminars.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of dental terminology, procedures, and instruments
• Understanding of HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality requirements
• Strong sterilization and instrument processing skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced clinical setting while maintaining attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a healthcare team
• Ability to support community outreach and public health initiatives when applicable

Qualifications:

Minimum

• Must be willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. This may include working in a special needs or Red Cross shelter, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• Valid driver's license

Preferred

• Dental Assistant certification (CDA)
• Expanded Functions Dental Assistant certification (EFDA)
• Dental Radiography certification

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Panama City, Florida

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.