The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Digital Dental Associate will support faculty and trainees in learning and effectively using the digital technologies, along with directly using the tools. They are also responsible for working closely with respective IT administrators in the troubleshooting of technology issues both during and after patient visits.
Responsibilities
Ability to gain proficiency with the use of intraoral digital technology, such as iTero, 3Shape and Planmeca, to assist provider in digital impression taking techniques.
Assists with 3-D printing of models.
Triages technical issues related to digital technology and is the first responder to assist staff, students, and faculty with use of digital technology.
Manages the database for patient cases and assists with file transfers to the dental laboratories for case completions.
Supports lab technician on site with minor lab-based steps for on-time case completions, including chairside corrections requiring same day turnarounds.
Assist dental provider in provision of dental care to patients by using four-handed dentistry in addition, provides assistance for surgical procedures.
With proper training, and guidance from faculty, assist providers during medical emergencies:
Expose diagnostic dental radiographs utilizing either standard or digital radiology equipment.
Discusses post-operative instructions with patients and able to answer routine patient questions.
Maintains dental supply and material levels within the department; assist in the inventory maintenance by notifying and when appropriate, ordering the supplies that are needed; receive, store, and distribute supplies and materials. Maintains dental/surgical equipment and report major malfunctions to the technical team.
Prepares instruments for sterilization according to the department/location specifications; also, able to do direct sterilization activity in some remote sites.
Collaborates with other members of the care team (e.g., hygienist, managers, lab-technicians, faculty, patient advocates, CDHC and others) to help coordinate care for the patient.
Appropriately sets up for dental/surgical procedures; strong knowledge and ability to work in multi-disciplinary, multi-specialty settings. Takes the initiative to work independently on tasks, with minimal supervisory support in daily work. Able to adopt working in a variety of environments/settings.
Takes lead as trainer and helps provide teaching support and guidance to dental students, residents and faculty.
Establishes organizational reports to track clinical activity.
Keeps track of all lab work for patients and ensures that they are available for patient visits.
Helps implement protocols to ensure compliance with all standards and regulations.
Adhere to infection control guideline when preparing for, during, and upon completion of each dental treatment; disinfect and clean dental operatories and contaminated trays; disinfect and sterilize instruments, equipment, and surgical handpieces; handle and dispose of sharps and hazardous materials according to established, University, state, and federal OSHA regulations.
Retrieves patient???s medical history and chief complaint and records information in EHR.
Perform data entry as required for proper maintenance of patient records along with supply and materials inventory.
Check instruments/equipment in and out to providers using the university???s tracking system.
Responsible for greeting and registering patients; scheduling appointments and processing payment for clinical services.
Takes lead to de-escalate matters and respond to patient inquiries and complaints.
Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
Performs other related duties as assigned. Multi-location and Variable Schedule
The growth of digital technology and its increasing ubiquity in all clinical locations will require the digital dental assistant to work independently in the digital support role in a variety of settings and to fulfill a range of responsibilities in remote locations.
Provides assistance across multiple locations for CDM, including in teaching clinics, dental van, community practice, faculty practices, school-based sites and hospital-based locations.
Provides support in clinic during extended hours, including some evenings and Saturdays.
Holds and/or develops strong skills in the use of Epic medical record and assists learners and faculty in proper navigation of the medical record.
Ability to gain proficiency with Epic registration, scheduling and basic billing practices/coding and use cadence to schedule and assist with appointing patients when working with remote departments Assists in scheduling and confirming technology use for telehealth consults and visits.
Provides registration support for new patients when supporting departments in remote locations (e.g., on the mobile van)
Digital Dental Associate will also need to provide integrated support to faculty, students and patients in situations where digital technologies are part of care that a patient is receive.
Minimum Qualifications
A high school diploma plus at least two years of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Meets the requirements of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing for exposing radiographs.
Demonstrated proficiency of the use of digital tools and technologies in clinical care setting
Other Requirements
Graduation from an accredited dental assistant training program and a minimum of five years of work experience as a dental assistant in private practice, educational environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Flexibility with working in a non-traditional, fast-paced work environment and has the ability to work at multiple site locations.
Employee must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Employee must also exhibit strong follow through, establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and students and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Ability to work independently, including problem solving matters related to technology, equipment and operations when working in remote sites.
Ability to master Epic operations.
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 25lbs.
Ability to bend, stoop, reach, stand, move from one area/clinic location to another on a regular basis, sit and use a computer for a long period of time.
Manual physical dexterity to handle and pass dental instruments used in the provision of dental care.
Flexibility to travel to multiple sites in NYC and Westchester counties.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
