COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Across UPMC, our guiding principle is to always prioritize the safety of our employees, patients, and members. UPMC believes that vaccination is important, helps protect all, and advocates that everyone who can be vaccinated should be vaccinated.

UPMC complies with all governmental requirements related to local, state, and federal COVID-19 vaccination for employment. The Jan. 13 Supreme Court of the United States decision that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate will move forward requires UPMC to ensure employees either get vaccinated or receive a requested medical or religious exemption.

If you are not yet vaccinated, we urge you to get a vaccine now. You can schedule your COVID-19 vaccination through UPMC or visit a non-UPMC provider or UPMC Urgent Care location.

Proof of vaccination is not required upon hire; however, employees will be responsible for ensuring post-hire compliance by getting vaccinated or requesting a medical or religious exemption.

For more information about UPMC’s response to COVID-19, please visit UPMC.com/coronavirus.

Search Our Jobs

   Current UPMC employees must apply in HR Direct

Apply

Dental Assistant Expanded Function

  • Job ID: 401878014
  • Status: Full-Time
  • Regular/Temporary: Flex
  • Hours:
  • Shift: Day Job
  • Facility: UPMC Altoona
  • Department: Dental Clinic
  • Location: 501 Howard Avenue, Altoona PA 16601
  • Union Position: No
  • Salary Range: $16.02 to $24.18 / hour

Description

Purpose:
The Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) assists a licensed oral surgeon/dentist under his/her direction.

Responsibilities:

  • Assists dentists and oral surgeons within the scope of practice as a Dental Assistant/Expanded Function Dental Assistant (i.e., restorative procedures only) under his/her direct supervision. Perform mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity; Place and remove retraction chord; Monitor and respond to post-surgical bleeding; Place amalgam for condensation by the dentist; carve amalgams. Remove sutures; dry canal; tie in archwire; Apply topical fluoride; apply topical anesthetic to the injection site; Place and remove dental dam;
  • Pour, trim, and evaluate the quality of diagnostic casts; Size and place orthodontic bands and brackets; Using the concepts of four-handed dentistry, assist with basic restorative procedures and basic surgical procedures Place liners and bases; Apply pit and fissure sealants; Place orthodontic separators; Size, fit, and place stainless steel crowns; Take preliminary and final impressions;
  • Place and remove matrix bands; Fabricate and place temporary crowns; remove temporary crowns and cement; Place and remove temporary fillings; Remove permanent cement from supragingival surfaces; Fabricate custom trays, bleaching trays, and athletic mouth guards; EFDA performs coronal polishing; EFDA places and removed rubber dams; EFDA places and finishes composite resin restorations and/or sealant material or both: EFDA places and removes matrices; EFDA places and removes wedges; EFDA takes impressions of teeth for study models, diagnostic casts or athletic appliances; EFDA performs all duties designated to Dental Assistants, under the same levels of required supervision. Works cooperatively with ancillary services and outside agencies.
  • Obtains patient/parental consent forms for dental procedures. Assures that all paperwork and reports are included for the dentist. Communicates and documents concise, appropriate, and accurate information to the healthcare team. Assists dentists with training dental assistant students. Shadow and assist dental students and dental assisting students when rotations occur. Performs radiographs, as instructed, including exposure and development under the direct supervision of an oral surgeon/dentist. Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of the use of dental equipment. Assures that dental equipment is in good functioning order (including recommended testing) at all times; has equipment repaired when needed. Assures that an adequate inventory of dental supplies is maintained at all times; prepares purchase order forms. Assures that all necessary items are available before each dental clinic session. Performs sterilization of dental equipment per infection control and regulatory requirements/standards. Maintains operatory disinfection according to regulatory requirements. Insures proper handling of biohazard waste products within the clinic. Organizes operatories, stocks supplies, and checks for integrity of package, sterility, and expiration dates except for medications.
  • Provides a safe and secure environment for the patient. Demonstrates understanding of age-specific needs of the dental client populations. Demonstrates appropriate precautions for blood/body fluid exposure. Is accountable and adaptable to all Clinic safety procedures, continuing education requirements, operational procedures, corporate compliance requirements, disaster plans, and regulatory requirements. Complies with established occupational exposure policies. Obtains patient/parental consent forms for dental procedures. Assures that all paperwork and reports are included for the dentist. Communicates and documents concise, appropriate, and accurate information to the healthcare team. Employee documents dental treatment accurately and efficiently in the dental record.

 

Qualifications

  • Must be a graduate of an approved Dental Assistant Program.
  • Must have a certificate from an approved Expanded Function Dental Assistant Program.
  • Experience Required: Must have at least one-year of experience as a Dental Assistant.

The schedule is 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, 5 days a week with the ability to flex down to 4 days a week based on patient demand.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Radiology Certification for capturing radiographs. Must maintain an expanded function dental assistant license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. Employee shall complete the continuing education requirements to maintain that license.
 

  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Act 33 with renewal
  • Act 34 with renewal
  • Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

  • UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Individuals hired into this role must comply with UPMC’s COVID vaccination requirements upon beginning employment with UPMC. Refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Information section at the top of this page to learn more.

Total Rewards

More than just competitive pay and benefits, UPMC’s Total Rewards package cares for you in all areas of life — because we believe that you’re at your best when receiving the support you need: professional, personal, financial, and more.

Our Values

At UPMC, we’re driven by shared values that guide our work and keep us accountable to one another. Our Values of Quality & Safety, Dignity & Respect, Caring & Listening, Responsibility & Integrity, Excellence & Innovation play a vital role in creating a cohesive, positive experience for our employees, patients, health plan members, and community. Ready to join us? Apply today.

   Current UPMC employees must apply in HR Direct

Apply

Security Alert

We are aware of scams targeting UPMC and other large companies that involve individuals posing as employees to illegitimately conduct interviews and extend false employment offers and payments to gain access to candidates' personal information. Please note that UPMC will not communicate with candidates through third-party email services like Gmail or Yahoo. While some interviews may take place via a video conferencing service, UPMC Talent Acquisition will not conduct interviews via Skype or Google Hangouts. UPMC will never ask for or disburse funds during the recruitment process. If you are hired into a role with a sign-on bonus or similar incentive, funds will be paid to you by UPMC after your start date.

If you suspect you have been a victim of a fraudulent UPMC job offer, please report the attempt using this form.