Dental Hygienist jobs at Florida Department of Transportation

A Dental Assistant Float, as part of the VVHC dental team, enables the dentists to provide efficient, high-quality care, and assists the entire team with patient care, office, and laboratory duties. This position will report as needed to multiple site locations as directed. The Dental Assistant influences the efficiency and productivity of patient flow through timely, accurate, and professional preparation of patients and patient information, while striving to maintain excellent patient relations, ensuring patients are well cared for, happy, and satisfied. Functional Area: Patient Care/Operational Excellence (Estimated Effort: 75%) Deliverables, Outcomes, and Expectations: * Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with care and compassion. * Coordinate patient flow with dental and patient access staff. * Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and clinic policies. * Prepare and maintain dental materials, supplies, and instruments. * Disinfect and sterilize instruments and handpieces per CDC/clinic policy. * Assist dentist chairside using 4-handed dentistry technique. * Aid in diagnostic exams, procedures, and surgical interventions. * Collect and record health information and vital signs. * Document dental services in patient records. * Clean and disinfect the dental clinic and equipment following OSHA, CDC, and clinic regulations. * Maintain and operate equipment such as radiographic tools, sterilizers, and more. * Stock and manage dental supplies. * Educate patients on oral hygiene and post-op care. * Follow through with post-visit responsibilities. Functional Area: Administrative/Clerical Tasks (Estimated Effort: 15%) Deliverables, Outcomes, and Expectations: * Participate in daily morning huddles. * Complete internal/external referrals and coordinate care. * Assist with phone triage and identify emergencies. * Maintain physical condition of clinic and instruments. * Prepare treatment plans and cost estimates. * Handle insurance pre-authorizations. * Manage outgoing lab work and patient follow-up. * Maintain patient confidentiality. Functional Area: Service and Other Responsibilities (Estimated Effort: 10%) Deliverables, Outcomes, and Expectations: * Serve on committees, workgroups, or service teams within VVHC and CAC. * Promote oral health and demonstrate commitment to the organization's mission. Minimum Requirements Education: * High school diploma or equivalent. Experience: * Preference given to those with dental or healthcare experience. Licenses/Certifications: * Current Dental Assistant Radiographer's Certificate (Ohio State Dental Board). * Current certified dental assistant (DANB, AMT, or CODA). * CPR and AED certification (American Heart Association). * Current Valid Driver License Direct Patient Care Requirements * Verification of license/certification/registration. * Proof of education and training. * OIG query completion. * Fit for duty verification. * Three professional references. * Current BLS/CPR certification. * Proof of Hepatitis B immunity. Preferred Qualifications * Experience with electronic dental records and digital radiography. * Certification in minimal sedation (N2O-O2) monitoring. Working Conditions * Clinic setting with travel between clinics as directed. * Fast-paced work environment. * Requires sitting, hand use, reaching, talking, and hearing. * Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. * Close vision required. * Must lift/move up to 10 lbs regularly and up to 25 lbs occasionally. * Strong verbal and written communication required. English proficiency necessary.

Functional Area: Patient Care / Operational Excellence Estimated Effort: 70% Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes, and Expectations * Assess the dental needs of patients using approved screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting. Collect and record vital signs. * Provide preventive oral health services such as dental prophylaxis, scaling, periodontal treatment, sealant application, and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional standards, state law, and Valley View clinical protocols. * Document all dental services by charting findings, diagnosis, treatment plan, and completed care to ensure the dental chart accurately reflects the visit, patient condition, and care provided. * Educate patients by providing oral hygiene and post-operative instructions. * Maintain minimum productivity standards as defined in the employment agreement. * Prepare and maintain dental supplies, materials, and instruments, including disinfecting and sterilizing equipment according to CDC and clinic policy. * Maintain optimal operation of all dental equipment, including handpieces, radiographic units, sterilizers, ultrasonic cleaners, water distillers, amalgam separators, and central evacuation systems. * Maintain dental supply inventory, including stocking operatories, managing supply orders, and tracking usage. * Complete duties in accordance with all health center policies, procedures, objectives, QI activities, safety, environmental, and clinical infection control standards. * Follow through with post-visit responsibilities. Functional Area: Administrative / Outreach & Education Estimated Effort: 20% Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes, and Expectations * Participate in daily morning huddles. * Complete patient referrals (internal and external) and assist with care coordination as needed. * Assist with telephone triage and appropriately distinguish between dental emergencies and routine treatment. * Review hygiene schedule daily and collaborate with Patient Access staff to ensure appointments are filled. * Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the dental clinic and instruments/equipment. * Prepare treatment plans and cost estimates; review with patients as needed. * Prepare and submit dental insurance prior authorizations per dentist's diagnosis. * Organize, present, and assist in oral health education and outreach events within the community. * Assist the Director of Dental Operations with administrative duties such as supply ordering, SDS manual upkeep, infection control monitoring, and EHR/digital imaging troubleshooting. * Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. * Support onboarding and training of new dental staff members. Functional Area: Service and Other Responsibilities Estimated Effort: 10% Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes, and Expectations * Serve on committees, work groups, or service teams within Valley View Health Centers and CAC as needed. * Demonstrate commitment to the organization's mission in promoting oral health. Education * High School Diploma or equivalent. * Successful completion of a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Dental Hygiene program. Job-Related Experience * Preference for individuals with experience in community health centers and/or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dental programs. * Experience working with preschool-aged and young children in a dental setting. * Experience with digital radiography and electronic health records. Licenses, Certifications, and Accreditations * Current/Active Dental Hygiene license through the Ohio State Dental Board. * Completion of a board-approved course in local anesthesia and successful passage of the CDCA or WREB Local Anesthesia Examination for Dental Hygienists. * Completion of a board-approved course in administration or monitoring of nitrous oxide-oxygen (N2O-O2) minimal sedation. * Successful completion of a board-approved course in the identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies. * Current healthcare provider CPR and AED certification through the American Heart Association. Direct Patient Care Requirements * Verification of licensure, registration, or certification. * Verification of education and training. * Completion of a query of the Office of Inspector General (OIG). * Verification of physical and mental fitness for duty and absence of impairments that may affect safe, effective care. * Three professional letters of recommendation. * Current BLS/CPR certification. * Proof of Hepatitis B immunity or vaccination record. Preferred Qualifications * Minimum of one year and 1,500 hours of dental hygiene experience. * Completion of a four-hour board-approved course in medical emergency prevention. * Completion of a board-approved course qualifying the hygienist to practice under the Oral Health Access Supervision Program (OHASP) and eligibility for a valid OHASP permit. Working Conditions * Position is in a well-lighted clinical environment; may require travel between VVHC dental clinics (up to 25%). * Requires effective verbal and written communication skills; must be able to speak and read English. * Work is fast-paced and may require sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. * Requires manual dexterity to handle instruments and operate equipment. * Vision requirements include close and detailed work. * Must regularly lift/move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.