Surgical Assistant

Job Title

Surgical Assistant

Agency

Texas A&M University Health Science Center

Department

Pediatric Dentistry

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Dallas, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are

A part of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas A&M School of Dentistry in Dallas was founded in 1905 and is a nationally recognized center for oral health sciences education, research, specialized patient care and continuing dental education. As one of the fastest-growing academic health centers in the nation, the Texas A&M University Health Science Center encompasses five colleges and numerous centers and institutes working together to improve health through transformative education, innovative research and team-based health care delivery.

What we want

The School of Dentistry is looking for a Surgical Assistant to serve in the Pediatric Dentistry department.  We desire an individual who subscribes to and supports our commitment as stated above. The successful applicant will bring an expert level of experience to the position and understand the demands of supporting executives in a fast-paced environment. This person must be professional, enjoy working in a high-volume environment and be able to apply strong organizational skills while being flexible in their daily routine. If this is you, we invite you to apply to become a member of our team.

What you need to know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire's experience.

Work Schedule/Location: This is an on-site role with a typical schedule of Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm.

Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume will assist us in our review of your application materials.  These can be uploaded on the application under CV/Resume.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School graduation or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Two years of related experience in a dental surgical environment or similar hospital setting.

Required Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses:

• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

• CPR certified

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the following settings: operating room, sedation monitoring, medical restraint usage, and four handed dentistry.

• Nitrous and radiograph certified.

• Hospital credentials and Operating Room credentials.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Clinical Support

• Provides direct chairside assistance to support faculty, residents and student dentists during the examination and treatment of patients.

• Performs patient care procedures to include preparing the patient and treatment room for the specific type of appointment.

• Coordinates doctor and clinic schedules with patient records.

• Oversees and ensures the cleanliness of exam and treatment rooms and is maintained at the highest standards to prevent the spread of infection and protocols are followed.

• Monitors the stocking of patient care rooms and nurses' stations to ensure supplies are on hand as needed for patient care and support compliance requirements.

• Maintains knowledge of Guidelines for Perioperative Practice Clinical expertise in the following areas: surgical instruments and their application to different procedures; assisting a surgeon during a surgical procedure; application of postop dressings; and closing a surgical incision.

• Maintaining the integrity of the sterile field and aseptic technique.

• Provides patient information to families to include postoperative care instructions.

• Records pertinent clinic data including blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, and diagnostic aids.

• Packages tissue and biopsy specimens and sends them to pathology laboratory.

• Changes dressings, cleans wounds or surgical sites, and removes sutures.

• Maintains active inventory of equipment and supplies.

• Provides radiographic services and assists with oral photography.

• Performs disinfection/sterilization of the operatory, instruments and equipment according to required procedures.

• Utilizes recommended infection control procedures at all times.

• Utilizes dental materials and instruments for procedures and ensures the setups are appropriate for the dental procedure performed.

Surgical Operation Support

• Prepares patients and assists during dental surgery.

• Assists with monitoring sedated patients.

• Retrieves and organizes medications used for intravenous sedation.

• Organizes and maintains surgical setups in the operating room.

• Maintains operating room privileges at partnering hospitals.

• Assist in emergency rescue procedures when needed.

• Performs appropriate counts with circulator prior to the operation and before incision is closed.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays.

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time.

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.