Vancouver

Certified Dental Assistant (Casual)

PHS Community Services Society is hiring a casual Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to assist in the overall delivery of services provided by the Portland Community Dental Clinic (PCDC)

The PCDC provides comprehensive oral health care to individuals residing or working in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, regardless of ability to pay. Emphasis is on providing services to those who experience barriers to health and dental care due to living in poverty, being medically compromised, experiencing mental health challenges, being chemically dependent, having history with the criminal justice system, or facing stigmas and bias due to culture, race, ethnicity, gender or working in the sex trade.

The CDA provides dental health information, health promotion, and dental screenings for individuals in a community setting. May perform procedures such as setting up, taking, and developing x-rays, polishing teeth, and applying fluoride treatments and fissure sealant.

Why work here?

PHS is recognized as North American leaders in low-barrier housing and harm reduction services. We are innovators, highly regarded across the sector, looking for people to join experienced, supportive multi-disciplinary teams.

You will be a valued member of the team, working with colleagues who respect your input.

PCDC is located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, in easy walking distance of Downtown, Chinatown, Gastown and the Seawall. There are good transit links – we’re a couple of blocks from the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station.

Responsibilities

Job duties include (but are not limited to):

  • Provides chairside assistance to dentists. Prepares and sets up instruments, equipment and supplies, passing instruments to dentist, assisting dentist with applications and suctions, inserting and removing rubber dams and clamps, preparing restorative bases and filling materials, and setting up, taking, and developing dental x-rays.
  • Assists in preparation for patient appointments by performing duties such as obtaining patient and x-ray files, positioning patients for dental work, and providing instructions related to dental work procedures, post-operative care, and oral hygiene.
  • Follows up on patient treatment requirements by performing duties such as assessing urgency, and providing information to patients.
  • Performs administrative support duties such as gathering required patient information, dental histories and details regarding financial assistance requirements. Completes documentation required for admission scheduling and confirming patients for programs and services. Maintains waitlists and enters data into computerized programs. Compiles screening statistics and responds to inquiries.
  • Cleans and sterilizes dental equipment and instruments.
  • Monitors supply and equipment inventories. Identifies requirements, prepares and processes order requisitions, and maintains related records. Receives and checks orders, verifies accuracy of invoice, stocks shelves, and distributes clinic supplies as needed. Follows up to obtain information and resolves discrepancies as required.

Education and experience

  • Grade 12 education and Certified Dental Assistant Certificate.
  • Registration and licensure as a Certified Dental Assistant.
  • Recent, related experience of at least one year, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to deal with others effectively.
  • Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize.
  • Knowledge of techniques and standards of preventive and restorative clinical practice.
  • Knowledge of the Downtown Eastside (history, organizations, services, issues and politics) an asset.
  • Must be creative, quick thinking, with good problem-solving abilities.
  • Must have excellent priority setting skills.
  • Experience with insurance procedures.
  • Must have a proven ability to deal with crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
  • Must work well under stress.
  • Good listening ability, non-judgmental, patient and non-controlling.
  • Computer knowledge :Exan/Mercedes Power Practice and Power Chart.

Terms of employment

Job type: Casual

Salary: $27.58 p/hr to $29.51 p/hr

This is a unionized position under CUPE 5536.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and professional and lived experience in our staff. We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous individuals.

How to apply

Send your resume to  jobs@phs.ca  today! Please include a cover letter identifying the position title you are applying for, and the qualities and competencies that would make you a suitable candidate.

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