Surgical Dental Assistant - Oral Max (Medical Center)

Company: Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group
Location: Houston
Posted on: May 3, 2025

Job Description:

At Houston Methodist, the Surgical Dental Assistant position is responsible for providing high quality surgical assistance during procedures. This position will assist with the preparation of surgical cases. The Surgical Dental Assistant position aids the surgeon with surgical procedures and assists with the clean-up and sterilization of the procedure room. This position will also be responsible for assisting in the cleaning and sterilization of instruments. The Surgical Dental Assistant position will also assist with activities to maintain the efficiency of office procedures as well as maintain patient records in the regard to clinical care and financial matters. This position will be available for after-hours "on call" surgical assisting. PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts with peers, staff and referring physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, room patients, takes and records vitals, assists with exams; obtains notes, images, referral letters from referring physicians; taking all, scans and X-rays; assists with scheduling upcoming office procedures and future appointments; call in prescriptions; takes patient calls with various requests, questions and nature of urgencies; including obtaining and executing clearance requests from other physicians under surgeon's request(s) and/or pre-anesthesia alerts for clearances.
  • Coordinate, fabricate and submit all labs, MRI, CT, HBO therapy, physical therapy devices orders, sleep appliances and TMJ (clear orthotic appliance to correct the position of the lower jaw) orthotics and follow up on status to confirm execution of all related procedures. Receives test results and report to physician for next steps. Hold weekly meetings with physician to plan and or follow up with patient cases. Calls other physicians caring for patients for other tests, notes, and any steps to be taken accordingly for the further care of the patient. Handles patients inquires pre and post patient care.
    • Contributes to a positive work environment with the professional care team to achieve optimal department results. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment.
      SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
      
      • Obtaining patient consent before all procedures. Provides patient education for all patients both pre and post-operative. Prepares room, equipment and supplies to accommodate planned procedures. Gathers all sterilized instruments and supplies for each assigned procedure and ensures that the set-up is ready before the physician scrubs. Coordinates certain orders through the Operating Room team for timely ordering and delivery prior to surgery case.
        • Provides chairside assistance with surgeries. Assists as floater during surgeries with opposite surgeon/days; takes post-op CBCT (Cone-Beam Computed Tomography) and X-ray images.
          • Supports the physician during surgical procedures, performing the surgical dental assistant for a variety of dental surgical procedures. Charts patient's records under direction of the surgeon. Takes X-rays as indicated and directed. Applies sterile dressings at end of procedure.
            • Maintains an orderly environment that facilitates access to supplies and other resource information through monitoring supply inventories and ordering supplies. Assists with maintaining and cleaning of equipment and restocking of supplies as established within the department.
              QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
              
              • Maintains the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment using sterile technique. Maintain and monitor/record all technical medical devices in clinic. Assists with the care of instruments, equipment, and supplies following surgical procedures. Calibrates ICAT scanner and TRIOS intra oral scanner weekly; calibrate 3D camera for research lab, clean and maintain autoclave on a monthly basis, rotate and order all drugs as needed, order and stock all clinical items, all medical surgical supplies for each exam and procedure rooms.
                • Develops and maintains an efficient system for storing surgical instruments and supplies. Ensures all patient care equipment undergoes quality check as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed. Executes intra-oral scans for dental models and send digital models to labs for fabrication of appliances
                  • Follows radiation safety standards and conducts all imaging procedures accordingly. Properly utilizes patient radiation protection and immobilization during diagnostic procedures. Regularly practices aseptic techniques and ensures compliance with infection control procedures. Complies with job and department standards, practices, and policies.
                    FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
                    
                    • Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
                      • Maintains cost efficient use of surgical supplies without compromising quality of patient care and minimizes opening of supplies until confirmation that will be used during procedures. Orders all clinical/office supplies through MARS system and coordinates with all representatives and buyers to execute any recalls, refunds, out of stock items, backorders, completed orders, delivery status, rush orders, special surgery items, lab supplies, to include setting up meetings and encounters with company representatives including pharmaceuticals, surgical components and devices, etc.
                        • Creates pharmacy orders for all drugs, narcotics, medical items to pharmacy and central supply for order and pick up.
                          GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
                          • Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts, and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates My Development plan on an on-going basis.
                            • Assists in the orientation of Oral/Maxillofacial residents.
                              This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. EDUCATION
                              
                              • High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
                                WORK EXPERIENCE
                                
                                • Five years of dental surgical experience
                                  • One plus years in a progressively responsible capacity LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED
                                    
                                    • RDA - Registered Dental Assistant - State Licensure (TSBDE) AND
                                    • BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
                                      
                                      • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
                                        • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
                                          • Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
                                            • Able to take panoramic and cephalometric radiograph
                                              • Exceptional knowledge of medical office procedures, medical terminology
                                                • Working knowledge of PC environment using Windows
                                                  • Knowledge of surgical procedures, case progression, pertinent observations
                                                    • Demonstrates knowledge and competent use of procedure equipment and instruments sets and use of various surgical instruments
                                                      • Demonstrates knowledge of surgical supplies, use of and restocking of suppliesSUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
                                                        WORK ATTIRE
                                                        
                                                        • Uniform No
                                                        • Scrubs Yes
                                                        • Business professional No
                                                        • Other (department approved) NoON-CALL
                                                          Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
                                                          
                                                          • On Call YesTRAVEL
                                                            Travel specifications may vary by department
                                                            
                                                            • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
                                                            • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area NoCompany Profile:Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group is an integral part of Houston Methodist's overall strategy to become one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. Established as a nonprofit corporation certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Specialty Physician Group enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Keywords: Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group, Missouri City , Surgical Dental Assistant - Oral Max (Medical Center), Healthcare , Houston, Texas