Position Title: Dental Assistant

Salary: Hourly: $20.00 || Annual: $41,600.00

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.



Minimum Requirements:
  • Such training as may have been gained through high school graduation and one (1) year of experience performing Dental Assistant work in a Dental Clinic;


OR


  • Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledge, skills and abilities.


Necessary Special Requirements

  • Possession of a valid automobile operator’s license and use of an automobile during working hours. You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from the various worksites throughout Allegheny County. You may be required to travel.
  • X-ray certification.


Education & College Transcripts

If you are claiming college education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status.

Child Protection Clearances (formerly “Act 153 Clearances”)

The following clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment:

  • PA State Police Criminal Record Check (PATCH)
  • FBI Criminal Record Check, from fingerprinting
  • PA Child Abuse History Clearance (PACA)

 

Employees will be reimbursed for costs of clearances upon start of the position.

Failure to complete the required clearances will result in termination as these clearances/credentials are a requirement of the position.

Employment Type

  • Full-time, Entry level position.
  • Grant funded positions are contingent upon grant funding


Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements - 30%
  • Relevant Experience - 50%
  • Supplemental questions - 20%


Supplemental Questions

Per the weights (above), the responses to these questions are a significant portion of how an application is scored and hold high value in screening candidates. For these pre-interview questions, in order to provide a thorough/full answer, a typical structure to an interview answer is recommended to be used, i.e. STAR approach (1. Situation/Setting, 2. Task(s) that you were tasked to do, 3. Actions which you took, 4. The result(s) of your actions).

Please be prepared to answer the following questions. You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, you can email ACHD Human Resources Department.

  1. Please describe any experience you have answering phones, filing, and processing dental charts.
  2. Please describe your experience with scheduling appointments for clients.
  3. What experience do you have providing customer service to people with diverse backgrounds?
  4. Please describe your experience working with children.


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny County Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#INDSJ


Position Summary:

This is routine para-professional work in assisting a dentist in the care of patients and in related dental clinic work. An employee in this class is responsible for assisting in a dental clinic by keeping records, managing housekeeping details and performing minor dental laboratory tasks. Employees work under the close supervision of a dentist and all work is carefully reviewed in process and upon completion.



Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Duties:

  • Assists dentists by charting the oral findings in the mouth and teeth of patients; gives chair-side assistance in the routine care of patients, passing instruments, and performing other routine tasks.?Schedules appointments, keeps dental charts and simple records in an online system, maintains files, and performs receptionist duties, including answering telephones and making appointments.? 
  • Registers patients at the front desk, makes appointments, sends appointment reminders, and follows-up on patient no shows.  
  • Prepare patients for dentists.? 
  • Arranges and hands instruments to dentists during procedures.? 
  • Mixes amalgam and synthetic fillings material according to instructions.? 
  • Sterilizes instruments, oils, and cleans equipment and supervises the routine cleaning of rooms and equipment.? 
  • Completes patient cards, memorandums, and other documents.?? 
  • Conducts outreach in area schools and childcare facilities.? 
  • Instructs patients on proper oral hygiene.? 
  • Responds to Public Health emergencies as assigned by the Health Department. 
  • Performs other duties as required or requested. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Routine office practices and of the materials used and the processes involved in housekeeping operations.
  • Microsoft Office programs including Access, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and other programs.
  • Electronic scheduling
  • Electronic charting/electronic medical records

Skill in:

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Dental Care
  • Dental Assisting
  • Customer Service
  • Outpatient
  • Documentation
  • Data Entry
  • Surgical Instruments
  • Public Health
  • Microsoft Office

Ability to:

  • Perform medical billing on paper and electronic platforms
  • Learn the techniques involved in sterilizing and otherwise caring for instruments and equipment
  • Learn dental laboratory and office routines and methods
  • Chart the oral findings of the mouth and teeth
  • Carry up to 40 pounds
  • Represent ideas effectively, concisely and accurately, both orally and in writing and present themselves in a professional manner
  • Must be able to work in a team environment
  • Respond to public health emergencies

Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D