Job Location : Palatka,FL, USA
Requisition No: 858311 Agency: Department of Health Working Title: DENTAL ASSISTANT - 64002285 Pay Plan: Career Service Position Number: 64002285 Salary: $ 34,760.00 - $ 39,353.60 Posting Closing Date: 08/14/2025 Total Compensation Estimator Tool Job posting category (Internal) Applicants accepted only from Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees). Applicants will not be accepted from outside of the department. Your Specific Responsibilities: The Incumbent, an employee of the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, County, and community efforts. The incumbent is expected to promote Innovation by searching for creative solutions and managing resources wisely. They are expected to collaborate through teamwork to achieve common goals and solve problems. The incumbent is expected to be accountable and perform with integrity and respect. They are expected to be responsive by serving our customers and engaging our partners. Finally, the incumbent is expected to perform with excellence by promoting quality outcomes through learning and continuous performance. This is a Dental Assistant position located at the Putnam County Health Department and functions under the supervision of the Dentist. This work provides dental assisting with preventive and educational dental health programs. Assists the Dentist/Dental Hygienist in all phases of dentistry by utilizing current concepts of fourhanded dentistry to increase productivity, reduce client stress, and improve quality of dental care. Performs all pre-op and post-op clinical duties. Utilizes safe needle/sharps handling and control; prepares and loads local anesthetic syringes; safely disposes of needles and local anesthetics (if applicable). Adheres to established State infection control guidelines, Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and Local Operating Procedures. Minimizes the possibility of occupational hazards and exposure to infectious and communicable diseases among patient and staff. Ensures all dental forms (e.g., consent, health history, and other relevant treatment documentation are available, completed, signed, and organized for the Dentist before and after each procedure. Verifies client's identification prior to seating and draping. Takes and records vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration) and informs Dentist/Dental Hygienist of vitals prior to the start of each procedure. Mixes and assists with preparing various restorative and impression materials, waxes, and resin products. Follows dental radiograph capturing and processing mandates and regulations. Captures, processes, and ensures all radiographs are of diagnostic quality. Uses barriers and disinfects all x-ray equipment after each use. Provides relief during absences/vacancies as required to ensure continuity of dental treatment for chairside, back-office and self-care duties. Lead Dental Assistant coordinates dental back-office schedule with Senior Clerk's front office to ensure the dental office flow runs smoothly. Oversees dental operatories and provide comments, feedback, and tips to management staff on improving operations. Trains new Dental Assistants in Putnam CHD clinical operation. Maintains (e.g., stocks, restocks, orders, and inventories) dental supplies e.g., local anesthetic, gauze, cotton rolls, filling materials, needles, patient bibs) and ensures enough are readily available for the Dentist/Dental Hygienist. Completes inventory sheets, requisition forms through MFMP under the direction of the Dentist and or Sr. Public Health Services Manager. Monitors expirations dates on all applicable dental materials. Plans, organizes, coordinates, and provides Oral Hygiene Instruction (OHI) to clients. Educates clients on the importance of proper oral hygiene (e.g., brushing, and flossing techniques); informs patients of available dental services. Performs chart reviews prior to the patients scheduled appointment to ensure charts are up to date. Presoaks, cleans, and decontaminates, rinses, dries, bags, wraps, or packages, sterilizes, and properly stores all dental instrument, tools, and hand pieces. Monitors the sterilization process and performs spore tests as required. Mails spore tests (if applicable) or process sample through the incubation process for analysis and maintains a log with test dates and results of analysis. Properly disposes of bio-hazardous dental waste materials (e.g., extracted teeth, bone, tissue, blood-soaked gauze, used dental sharps). Follows the manufacturer's recommendations when using, cleaning, and maintaining dental vacuum systems; lubricates hand pieces before and after sterilization, and uses, cleans, and maintains dental sterilizations units. Cleans, disinfects, handles, pours, and trims dental impressions or models; prepares boxes for mail outs, and tracks impressions or models used in the fabrication of dental appliances. Maintains (e.g., stocks, restocks, orders, and inventories) dental supplies e.g., local anesthetic, gauze, cotton rolls, filling materials, needles, patient bibs) and ensures enough are readily available for the Dentist/Dental Hygienist. Monitors expirations dates on all applicable dental materials. Maintains dental records, appointment schedules, and organization of dental forms for the electronic medical records. Assists Dentist/Dental Hygienist, in the oral examination process including screenings and exams. Assists with post-treatment procedures (e.g., post-op instructions, prescriptions, and OHI). Continually observes the dental clinic environment and corrects deficiencies as appropriate. Inspects premises to maintain a safe and secure working environment as dictated by policy. Perform other related duties as required. Complies with all Department of Health and Dental security and confidentiality rules and requirements. This position serves a large population of Spanish speaking clients and employee may be required to perform interpreter duties, if bilingual. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Principles and methods of sterilization; uses of the more common dental instruments, equipment, and materials; dental hygiene and prophylaxis; dental office procedure and principles of digital dental record keeping, including techniques used in dental radiography; and names or numbers of the teeth and various surfaces of the crown of the tooth. Communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance; identify the more common dental instruments, equipment, and materials; mix dental materials and prepare dental accessories; stand for long periods of time; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; follow directions; and maintain effective working relationships with health care professionals and others Qualifications: Minimum - Expanded Functions and Dental Radiography certifications. Valid Driver's License. Preferred - Pediatric Dental Experience, 1 Yr Dental and Coding Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values: Mission: To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts. Vision: To be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Values: I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely. C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems. A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect. R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners. E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement. Where You Will Work:Florida Department of Health Putnam County2801 Kennedy St. Palatka FL. 32177The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including: