Dental Assistant
Internal and External Opportunity Brief
Position: Dental Assistant – 0.6 FTE
Classification: 0.6 FTE; This is a unionized position under NEGEU Local 102
Location: Dental Office, 2131 Gottingen Street, Halifax
Hours of Work: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:30am – 4:30pm
Pay scale: $24.95/hr - $30.89/hr
Posted: September 5, 2023
About NECHC
The North End Community Health Centre (NECHC) was established in 1971 in response to an absence of primary health care and other health services in Halifax’s North End. Located on Gottingen Street, we are in the heart of a unique and culturally diverse community. Today, governed by the North End Community Health Association, the NECHC is viewed by area residents as a “beacon of hope” in the community. Much more than a Primary Care Clinic, the NECHC has expanded in response to unmet needs of community members and is highly-valued by its patients and clients and their families. NECHC provides services to those living on the margins of society, through MOSH, Housing First and a wide range of community outreach initiatives.
Vision
Strong community - healthy people.
Mission
We support health and well-being in our community through quality primary health care, education and advocacy in an environment in which people are treated with respect and dignity and there is equitable access to services and programs.
Values
Respect. Community. Compassion. Excellence. Innovation
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment
The North End Community Health Centre is committed to being an inclusive organization. We are working to ensure our organization represents the diverse people and communities we serve. Our position postings encourage members from the following communities to apply:
- African Nova Scotian and/or people of African Descent
- People of Colour and/or racially visible minorities
- Connected to the North End of Halifax
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Dental Clinic Manager, the Dental Assistant (RDA) is a valued member of the dental care team that possesses the knowledge, skills and professional responsibility to promote oral health and oral health protection and prevention strategies for the clients they serve. In the clinic the RDA will work collaboratively with other Dental Health Care Providers (DHCP) to meet the oral health needs of clients.
The RDA will provide culturally sensitive oral health services for diverse clients throughout their life cycle. They will work collaboratively with clients, guardians and other professionals to enhance the quality of life of their clients and the public. Intra-oral duties shall be performed under direct supervision of a licensed dentist and include rubber dam (placement and removal), matrices and wedges (placement and removal), taking impressions, exposing radiographs, applying fluoride, disclosing agents, topical anaesthetic pit and fissure sealants, desensitizing agents, rubber cup polishing of coronal surfaces, as prescribed by the dentist, as well as setting up and stocking treatment tooms. Other duties include suctioning with HVE and saliva ejector, oral hygiene instruction, dietary counselling. The RDA will also follow current guidelines on infection prevention and control (IPAC) and instrument reprocessing.
This position involves working closely with dental clinic staff, Dalhousie Dentistry faculty, dental students, dental residents, dental hygiene students and NECHC staff. It is important to be an effective team player, a good communicator and have the ability to work independently.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties reflect the broad scope of responsibilities but are not necessarily all-inclusive.
· Prepares the treatment room, ensuring all equipment and supplies are ready/available for patient care. After welcoming the patient, they provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the patient, update medical and dental history and confirm client consent for the treatment.
· Properly documents and signs medical and dental health updates, maintains charts, charting systems, electronic records, and protects client & clinic confidentiality.
· Provides chairside assistance to the dentists, dental students, dental hygienists and dental hygiene students.
· Properly cleans treatment room once the patient is dismissed by adhering to current infection control guidelines as produced by the College of Dental Hygienists of Nova Scotia (CDHNS) and the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia (PDBNS).
· Maintains instruments by inspecting for damage, reprocessing of dental and dental hygiene instruments according to manufacturer’s instructions, clinic protocols and current infection control guidelines. This includes the proper handling of contaminated instruments, decontamination of instruments, packaging instruments for sterilization, labeling, processing, proper storage and documentation of all sterilized equipment.
· Regular testing of the sterilization equipment, as per current IPAC guidelines and manufacturer’s instructions, and keeps a record of test results in the sterilization area.
· Responsible for ordering of clinical supplies, in collaboration with other clinic staff.
· Opens and closes the dental clinic (turns on/off switches for all equipment including compressor, water, radiography equipment, etc.), in collaboration with other dental clinic staff.
· Provides support to other team members as needed/requested.
· Provides information to clients, other employees and management by responding to requests, providing reports and answering questions.
· Protects clients, staff and self by adhering to current infection prevention and control guidelines, policies and protocols.
· Properly documents and reports any accident or “near-miss” incidents to the Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
· Promotes healthy behaviours of self, colleagues, clients and the public.
· Applies the CDAA Codes of Ethics in all endeavors while acting with personal integrity.
· Applies principles of risk reduction for client, colleague and practitioner safety, health and wellbeing.
· Practices within personal limitations and legal scopes of practice including federal, provincial and territorial laws and regulations.
· Reports unethical, unsafe and incompetent services to management and the appropriate regulatory organizations.
· Respects the autonomy of clients as full partners in decision-making.
· Promotes social responsibility to advance the common good.
· Respects diversity in others to support culturally sensitive and safe services.
· Possesses the ability to self-assess professional performance in relation to standards of practice
· Creates personal plans for continuing competence and professional development and participates fully in a quality assurance program, as prescribed by the PDBNS.
· Other activities as necessary or as directed by the Dental Clinic Manager, and/or Director of Primary Care.
Minimum Education and Experience:
· Diploma of Dental Assisting from an accredited school
Certification/Registration/Designations:
· Registered and licensed to practice (in good standing) Dental Assisting with the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia
· Membership in the NSDAA and CDAA
Special Skills and Knowledge:
· Clinical dental assisting knowledge is essential
· Ability to work independently and as a collaborative member of the NECHC
· Excellent verbal communication skills
· Experience working with children preferred
· Proficient basic computer skills (word, excel, outlook, etc.)
· Experience using electronic medical/dental records
· Ability to multitask in a clinical environment
· Excellent interpersonal, time management and facilitation skills
· Takes pride on their work and wants to make a difference (small or large)
Nature and Amount of Experience:
· Minimum two years’ experience working as an RDA in a community setting preferred
· Experience working in not for profit and health care setting preferred
· Experience working with diverse communities
· Experience working with disease management, risk prevention education
· Experience working with clients with mental health and addiction problems an asset
· Experience working in an administrative role in a dental or medical clinic an asset
Judgement and Initiative:
· Must be able to work with a high degree of autonomy and demonstrate critical thinking and sound judgment
· Must be highly motivated, proactive and creative
· Be committed to professional education/development, collaborative decision making and team development.
Type and Level of Supervision:
· Expected to fulfill all activities related to the role with a minimum degree of supervision
Successful applicants will be required to provide a criminal record check (including Vulnerable Sector Search) at their own cost.
Please email your resume and cover letter to the [email protected] by September 20 at 5pm. Please state the position title in the subject line.Position: Family Practice Nurse
Classification: This is a position under NEGEU Local 102
Location: 2131 Gottingen Street.
Hours of Work: 0.8 FTE; 37.5 hrs per week: Part time; various FTE options available for this 0.8 FTE position
Pay Scale: $36.78 -$43.33/hr
Deadline: September 20, 2023
About NECHC
The North End Community Health Centre (NECHC) was established in 1971 in response to an absence of primary health care and other health services in Halifax’s North End. Located on Gottingen Street, we are in the heart of a unique and culturally diverse community. Today, governed by the North End Community Health Association, the NECHC is viewed by area residents as a “beacon of hope” in the community. Much more than a Primary Care Clinic, the NECHC has expanded in response to unmet needs of community members and is highly-valued by its patients and clients and their families. NECHC provides services to those living on the margins of society, through MOSH, Housing First and a wide range of community outreach initiatives.
Vision
Strong community - healthy people.
Mission
We support health and well-being in our community through quality primary health care, education and advocacy in an environment in which people are treated with respect and dignity and there is equitable access to services and programs.
Values
Respect. Community. Compassion. Excellence. Innovation
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment
The North End Community Health Centre is committed to being an inclusive organization. We are working to ensure our organization represents the diverse people and communities we serve. Our position postings encourage members from the following communities to apply:
- 2SLGBTGDQQIA++
- African Nova Scotian and/or people of African Descent
- Indigenous
- People with disabilities
- Language minorities
- People of Colour and/or racially visible minorities
- Immigrant and refugee
- Connected to the North End of Halifax
Job Purpose
The Family Practice Nurse provides primary health care services and focuses on health promotion, wellness, health education and disease prevention in a community setting at the North End Community Health Centre. Reporting to the Manager of Primary Care, the Family Practice Nurse is part of a collaborative team of healthcare professionals that support individuals and communities in managing their own health. The Nurse will work closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health clinicians, social workers and dietitians to support the organizations mission, vision and values. The Family Practice Nurse values diversity, and proactively seeks ways to incorporate a collaborative community approach.
Position Responsibilities
· Nursing care of health issues such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, hypertension and heart disease.
· Complete well-baby visits, child assessments and routine immunizations
· Collaborate in providing prenatal care and education
· Perform wellness exams, PAP tests (when trained)
· Provide advocacy, counseling and support for a variety of health and social concerns. Topics could include healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, safe sex information, birth control counseling, sexual health, and cancer screening.
· Provide immunizations, injections, would care, and more.
· Facilitate chronic disease management including chronic mental health and addictions
· Provides testing, education and interventions for prevention of HIV, Hepatitis B and C sexually transmitted infections, and other infectious diseases
· Routine nursing physical assessments of well and unwell clients
· Participates in data collection for evaluation purposes
· Specimen collection including venipuncture
· Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience
· Bachelor of Nursing/ BScN or equivalent
· Family Practice Nursing Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
· Eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Nurses
- CPR certification, Nonviolent crises intervention or willingness to be trained upon employment
· Community experience and knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization including trauma-informed and harm reduction care.
Professional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge and experience working with the founding communities (African Nova Scotian and First Nation) as well as Newcomer/Immigrant, 2SLGBTQIA++ and people experiencing homelessness considered an asset
- Knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health; harm reduction and
- Values diversity with a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- Ability to work with a degree of autonomy, demonstrate critical thinking and sound judgement
- Highly motivated, proactive and creative.
- A commitment to ongoing learning and development
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
NECHC is intentional in creating spaces that are inclusive and intentionally reflect our communities. The organization recognizes that more representation is needed within the team, particularly from African Nova Scotian and Indigenous Communities. Preference will be given to candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and/or 2SLGBTGDQQIA++
Individuals are encouraged to self-identify in their application/cover letter.
How to Apply:
Applications for this position should be submitted directly to [email protected] later than 5pm on September 20, 2023.
Job Type: Part-time
Salary: $24.95-$30.89 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2023-09-12
Expected start date: 2023-10-01
