Dental Hygienist - Neighborhood Health - Memphis, TN

Permanent Dental Hygienist Job

Memphis, TN

Job Description

Dental Hygienist Part Time - 2 Days Weekly



Neighborhood Health is an innovative network of 12 community health center in Nashville and Lebanon, Tennessee. We provide comprehensive primary care, integrated behavioral health, and dental services to almost 30,000 patients. Our patients primarily include immigrants, residents of public housing, individuals experiencing homelessness, and person living with addiction. As a federally qualified health center, we provide care without regard to health insurance or a patient’s ability to pay. We also strive to improve our Patient Centered Medical Home model to ensure all patients get the right high-quality care, at the right place and the right time.




NATURE OF POSITION:


Under the supervision of a qualified Dentist, the Dental Hygienist assesses patient needs, and plans and delivers direct dental care and associated services to patients, utilizing established dental hygiene protocols and procedures. The dental hygienist uses preventive, educational and therapeutic methods for controlling oral diseases to help individual patients and groups achieve and maintain oral health. Must be able to work in a Patient Centered Medical Home model. Must facilitate partnerships between patients, physicians and health teams with focus on care coordination and integration of treatment internally and externally. Must work diligently to assure that services are accessible, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective. Must be committed to eliminating barriers to care that is centered on the needs and convenience of patients above all other factors.



QUALIFICATIONS:


Current unrestricted licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Tennessee
Ability to perform precise and detailed work
Strong customer service and communication skills
Able to work as part of a team
Commitment to providing service to the underserved



SALARY GRADE AND CLASSIFICATION: Exempt



RESPONSIBLE TO: Dental Director/Dentist



RESPONSIBILITIES:


Assesses the dental condition and needs of patient using patient screening procedures, including, medical history and dental charting. Taking patient vital signs per protocol and as required and indicated.
Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned and consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and Neighborhood Health clinical protocols: such as, but not limited to:
Dental prophylaxis, Scaling, Polishing, x-rays (expose and process), application of sealant, application of fluoride, related procedures
Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performing:


Patient education (dental care, nutrition, etc.);Discharge planning; Patient/family teaching



Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate.



Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions, as appropriate; documents procedures and ensures follow up.



Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures and complex treatments.



Integrates patient dental hygiene care with other health care professional involved in the patient’s health care management.



Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts as assigned.



Initiates and/or assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.



Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required.



Prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties.



Participates in educational and counseling with children and adults on dental health, plaque control, oral hygiene and nutrition.



Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentation at on-site and off-site locations in the community.



Assists in the maintenance of dental areas such as cleans and sterilizes instruments, equipment and rooms.



Participate in the Performance Improvement Program of the Dental Department and organization.



Complies in full with the organizational exposure and infection control plan.



Requisitions supplies as required.



Performs related duties as assigned and needed to achieve organizational and programmatic goals.



DECISION-MAKING:


Performs under the supervision of a dentist. Requires technical knowledge, analytic ability, and ability to independently assess emergency and routine dental needs.



JOB IMPACT:


Unique services and supportive of dental functions.



PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:


Normal lifting does not exceed 25 pounds. Work in interior with standing most of the working day. Requires basic safety precautions with exposure to hazards and/or risk. Travel is required.



SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None



LOCATION: East Side, Napier, Lebanon, and Mission as well as community



EOE

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