Registered Dental Assistant

This posting will be used to fill up to two full-time recurring positions with an inactive period approximately 6 weeks between the third week of July until the last week of August each year. Please note that the annual salary above will be further pro-rated to reflect this.

Hours of work are between the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm based on the fall, winter and Intersession schedules of the clinics and labs, with the norm being 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.  RDAs may be asked to sign up to work in a Continuing Education clinic or other clinical activities that could require overtime and or in the evenings or weekends.

These positions offer a comprehensive benefit package which can be viewed at: http://www.hrs.ualberta.ca.

Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) in the School of Dentistry are assigned primary to clinical units supporting the undergraduate units however they are frequently re-assigned to associate clinical units due to operational requirements. Under general supervision of the Clinic Services Supervisor, the RDAs are multi skilled professionals who possess a diverse knowledge base.  They perform clinical procedures within their scope of practice through assignment and delegation of duties and responsibilities dependent on the area/unit they are assigned to.

Registered Dental Assistants in the School of Dentistry exercise professional interpersonal skills and are expected to maintain collaborative relationships with all Students, Staff, Clinical Instructors and Patients.  They are skilled at using technology for communication, exercise critical thinking and decision making abilities as well as apply their thorough dental knowledge in a variety of clinical, lab and simulation settings.

Duties

• Works with a diverse patient base: pediatric to geriatric as well as compromised patients
• Mentors Students in the preparation and cleanup of the dental operatory with a focus on patient management, proper infection control protocols, placement of dental instruments and supplies for the delivery of dental treatment.
• Responsible for routine maintenance of equipment within their assigned area/unit in conjunction with the equipment technician
• Assists the instructor or student with dental specialty and general dentistry procedures
• Continual adapts to a diverse patient base, as an RDA in a undergraduate clinic will be working with 5-14 students during patient care treatment
• Provides technical assistance to the dental and hygiene students, graduate students, residents and support staff in taking intra oral and extra oral dental radiographs
• Observes and mentors the Students adherence to University procedures and generally accepted dental practices
• Assists with the prevention and management of dental medical emergencies
• Collectively, with the Clinic Porters ensures that the proper level of sundries are maintained in all main clinic units
• Supports the evacuation of patients, students and staff during an emergency code alarm
• Supports clinical treatment procedures by performing assigned laboratory functions
• Develops orientation modules and trains dental hygiene and dental students, continuing education participants and new faculty in clinic protocol as required
• Performs other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Certificate/Diploma in Dental Assisting from a recognized program or NDAEB certification
• Minimum of 2 years experience as a practicing clinical dental assistant
• Dental Assistant Orthodontic module and CBCT training are assets 
• Current registration with College of Alberta Dental Assistants Association (CADA)
• Personal and current malpractice insurance
• Current BLS – Health Care Provider Level C certification
• Ability to prioritize and perform tasks accurately with attention to detail
• Steadiness, the ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast paced and diverse work environment and in emergencies
• Finger and manual dexterity
• Ability to understand and handle different ages and types of people while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Competency in MS Office Software and dental practice management software