Description

Job title

DENTAL HYGIENIST [FPCN-DH-HA-04232024]

Location

Health Annex

6120-B woodland Ave

Philadelphia, PA

***THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION***

The Family Practice & Counseling Network (FPCN) provides comprehensive primary care, dental and behavioral health services. We stand behind the belief that all people are entitled to accessible, comprehensive, quality, and affordable health care, and that care must be delivered in a culturally competent, trauma-informed and compassionate manner by caring for the whole person - mind, body & spirit. The network's mission is to provide person-centered, integrated and comprehensive health services to individuals and families across their lifespan. The network promotes resiliency and well-being among patients, staff and surrounding communities.

The Network consists of three (3) federally qualified health centers (FQHC) in Philadelphia:

• Abbottsford Falls Family Practice & Counseling (Northwest Philly);
• Stephen & Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services of Drexel University (North Philly); and
• Health Annex (Southwest).

Today the FPCN serves more than 20,000 patients annually and is a NCQA certified Patient-Centered Medical Home and recognized by HRSA as a National Quality Leader for Behavioral Health.

Position Summary

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for assessing and delivering direct patient care utilizing oral hygiene procedures and protocols to educate and reinforce good health outcomes for the patient.

Team members are expected uphold the health center mission by assuring that patients receive health care that is competent, caring, and meets with a high degree of satisfaction. In addition, staff must support FPCN's commitment to the creation of a trauma-informed system of care that continually recognizes and responds to the impact of traumatic stress on all those who have contact with the organization, including children, adults, families, caregivers, and staff.

Essential Duties and Functions

1. Assesses dental conditions and risk with patient screening procedures which includes medical history review and dental charting in the EHR.
2. Performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes, and related procedures.
3. Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist.
4. Assist with insurance preauthorization process for periodontal scaling and root planning to assure follow-up on all denials and scheduling for all approved cases.
5. Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
6. Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
7. Manage the continuing care recall system.
8. Assist with managing hygiene inventory and supplies.
9. Ensure use of downtime to include clean, stocked operatories; routinely clean and stock operatory.
10. Documents dental history, reports pertinent observations, and other relevant patient information in the EHR. Documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on result.
11. Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patient.
12. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment.
13. Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment.
14. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES ADDENUM

MDI HYGIENIST

1. Performs oral prophylaxis, scaling, oral hygiene instruction, fluoride treatments in the MDI treatment room.
2. Screens and takes radiographs for emergency patients for screening and timely referral to dental department.
3. Coordinates referral to the Dental Department for Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment of patients after being seen for MDI hygiene visits.
4. Obtains baseline overall health and oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care; enter into the EDR.
5. Records patient-hygienist transactions and data acquired as they occur in the patient's electronic dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the encounter, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
6. Posts all treatments provided at the end of the encounter for billing purposes.
7. Administers local anesthesia when needed for treatment under State Anesthesia Licensure.
8. Integrates and communicates appropriate patient oral health and hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient's health care management.
9. Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement Program of the Dental Department of the center.
10. Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the Clinical Director within state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directives.
11. Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
12. Work with IT, MDI staff to collect data, measure and evaluate the impact and outcomes of the integration effort.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma/GED
• Diploma from a certified U.S. program with Registered Dental Hygienist degree.
• Pennsylvania State Licensure as a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner.
• Pennsylvania State Local Anesthesia Licensure.
• Competent with Electronic Dental Records.
• Proficient with CCD digital x-ray capture.
• Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required.
• Have an interest in and commitment to public health dentistry. Devote time every year to continuing education, conferences and reading in dental public health. Show ongoing involvement in community outreach and education
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, both periodontal and caries risk assessments, and associated conditions and pathology in dental patients.
• COVID Vaccination
• Current CPR Card

Working conditions

Hazard and Atmospheric Conditions

• Exposure to Loud Noise

Additional Special Working Conditions:

Prolonged sitting or standing is required. Those physical movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination normally associated with the practice of modern oral hygiene will be performed on a repetitive basis. Proficiency in the use of the telephone, computer, electronic dental record and business machines is required.

OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Classification: Category I

Requirements

Physical requirements

Lifting Requirements

• Light: exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg control requires force greater than sedentary, but worker still sits majority of time.

Physical Requirements

• Stand or Sit (stationary position)
• Walk
• Use hands or fingers to handle or feel (operate, activate, prepare, inspect, position)
• Climb (stairs/ladders)
• Talk/Hear (communicate, converse, convey, express/exchange information)
• See (detect, identify, recognize, inspect, assess)
• Pushing or Pulling
• Repetitive Motion
• Reaching (high or low)
• Kneel, Stoop, Crouch or Crawl (position self, move)

Additional Requirements:

Occasionally, working under stressful conditions as well as evening or weekend hours may be required. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic medicinal preparations, radiation and other conditions common to a clinical environment will routinely be encountered.

The capacity to accommodate 7 patients per day for a mix of the following category of visits:

1. Uncomplicated initial oral hygiene and recall hygiene visits
2. Scaling and Root planing visits
3. Fluoride applications and screening in office.
4. Emergency patient screening and radiographs

Resources for Human Development is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, veteran, or disability status.