Surgical Assistant

Job Summary: The surgical assistant assists in the performance of quality, caring, clinical dentistry by aiding the surgeon smoothly and unobtrusively during examinations and treatment. The surgical assistant performs clinical and technical procedures under the supervision of a licensed oral surgeon as well as prepares the operatory and equipment, gets the patient ready, and maintains awareness of the comfort and safety needs of patients.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty as listed below and be a team player.

Essential Duties: 

Direct Patient Care

• Enters and updates patient’s medical history in practice management software. 

• Reviews medical history, chief complaint, and scheduled treatment plan with each patient.

• Confirms x-rays, letters from referring doctor, and other patient information are available for review by surgeon.

• Provides customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room and prepping them for care by the doctor.

• Places monitoring equipment on patient. Obtains blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation readings.

• Prepares and ensures completion of appropriate consent forms and saves forms to the patient account. 

• Has intravenous medication and supplies available, if patient will be sedated. 

• Opens anesthesia record and enters medications. 

• Assists doctors with surgical procedures (extractions, biopsies, implants, bone grafts, etc.) by passing instruments, airway management, aspirating intra-oral fluids, mixing materials and medicaments during examinations and/or surgery.

• Maintains operative record and records treatment information on the patient's chart, including treatment rendered, type/size/lot numbers for implants, bone grafts, and resorbable barriers, and information regarding follow-up appointments needed. 

• Takes radiographs and cone beam CT scans, as instructed by the doctor.

• Helps administer nitrous oxide to patients, as applicable.

• Provides pre-op and post-operative instructions/counseling. 

• Makes and documents follow-up patient calls for doctors, if requested, and keeps doctors informed of problems or patient concerns. 

• Fields all pre-op and post-op questions and concerns from patients. 

Indirect Patient Care:

• Prepares all treatment rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination, 

sterilization of all instruments, cleaning and restocking.

• Maintains cleanliness of the x-ray, lab and sterilization areas.

• Maintains all chemical solutions, including disinfectant soaks and sprays, sterilents, ultrasonic, and presoak.

• Takes intra oral scans of patients in preparation for implant surgery 

• Prepares pathology specimens, and necessary documentation, for pickup. 

• Monitors incoming and outgoing lab cases.

• Cleans hand pieces, vacuum traps, and sharp instruments.

• Monitors supply usage and notifies appropriate personnel of reorders needed. 

• Completes necessary closing duties, including but not limited to, emptying the trash, draining ultrasonic solution(s), and turning all tanks and lights off. 

• Assist other staff members with their duties, as time permits. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Basic comprehension of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.

• Skilled in the use of standard dental office equipment including: Autoclave, intra oral scanner, Xray machines – Panorex and CBCT components and handheld device, ultrasonic, Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide, and hand pieces.

• Ability to take blood pressure, attach EKG leads, and read monitors.

• Knowledge of cross contamination and how to prevent it.

• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations.

• Knowledge of, and compliance with, OSHA regulations and changes.

• Ability to take radiographs, including periapicals, panorex, and cone beam CT scans. 

• Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

• Skilled in the use of standard office equipment including: telephones, calculators, copiers, fax, computers, and computer software (MS Excel, Word, Practice Management software).

Special Requirements/Certifications/Licenses:

• Certified Dental Assistant or Medical Assistant certificate holder. 

• CPR & first aid certificate holder. 

• DAANCE certification, or willingness to complete within one year of employment.