AN120179 – Dental Assistants and Secretaries (State) Award

AN120179 – Dental Assistants and Secretaries (State) Award

PART A

1. WAGES AND CLASSIFICATIONS

(i) The minimum weekly wage payable shall be as set out in Table 1 - Wages, of Part B, Monetary Rates.

(ii) The rates of pay in this award include the adjustments payable under the State Wage Case of June 2003. These adjustments may be offset against:

(a) any equivalent over-award payments; and/or

(b) award wage increases since 29 May 1991 other than safety net adjustments and minimum rates adjustments.

(iii) Classification Levels

All employees shall be graded in one of the following levels and informed accordingly in writing within 14 days of appointment to the position held by the employee and subsequent graded positions.

(iv) Classification levels are described as follows: Level 1 (a) Shall mean an employee with no prior experience relevant to the dental industry.

(b) Such an employee shall be provided with on the job experience under direct supervision to perform general duties as directed and to learn basic skills and knowledge required of a dental assistant. This shall include:

(i) Basic knowledge of infection control and occupational health and safety principles;

(ii) Identification of surgery equipment, instruments and dental materials;

(iii) Understanding of basic medico and dento/legal requirements as it relates to their occupation as may be outlined under NSW law.

(i) Assisting in preparation of surgery for treatment.

(ii) Reception of patients;

(iii) Basic clerical duties;

(d) Such an employee shall be employed at this level for no more than 6 months. This period may be shortened at the employer’s discretion. Level 2 (a) Shall mean an employee having undergone training at level 1 or having appropriate experience in the dental industry.

(b) Such an employee would work under direct supervision and direction as appropriate and be provided with on the job experience to develop the following skills and knowledge:

(i) knowledge of the administrative and clerical duties required by the dental assistant and or secretary in the practice;

(ii) understanding of basic dental procedures and knowledge of the role of the dental assistant and secretary in assisting the employer.

(iii) understanding of the organization of the dental establishment;

(iv) interpersonal skills to enable them to relate to patients;

(v) knowledge of infection control requirements of the industry.

(i) infection control, including cleaning, care and sterilization of instruments and decontamination of surgery and office equipment;

(ii) preparation of the surgery for dental procedures, including compiling daily treatment sheet;

(iii) assistance at the chairside during dental procedures;

(iv) entering, updating, removing or refiling patient information;

(v) receiving and recording payments, issuing receipts, following up and recording outstanding accounts;

(vi) communicating with patients and staff members; responding to telephone, fax, email, oral and written information;

(vii) administer an appropriate recall system;

(viii) undertaking banking procedures. Level 3 (a) Employees may be required to instruct other employees in the skills required at this level or levels below by means of personal instruction and demonstration.

(b) An employee at this grade applies knowledge gained to a broad range of skills.

(c) Shall mean an employee with experience at level 2 who possesses a Nationally accredited level III Certificate in dental assisting.

(d) Such an employee would work under minimal supervision, direction and control as is appropriate.

(e) An employee at this level may be required to undertake the following duties:

(i) tasks at level 2

(ii) assisting at chairside with all dental procedures;

(iii) assisting in impression taking;

(iv) stock control for both office and surgery supplies;

(v) assisting with dental radiography, developing and mounting radiographs;

(vi) assisting with the care of patients including assisting in the management of medical and dental emergencies;

(vii) care for patients following dental intra - venous sedation;

(viii) recording of dental charting and maintenance of all patient records;

(ix) receiving from, preparing and dispatching work to the dental laboratory

(x) instruct on post - operative care;

(xi) follow up on patient treatment under dentist’s instruction. Level 4

(a) Employees may be required to instruct other employees in the skills required at this level or level below by means of personal instruction and demonstration.

(b) Such an employee would work under minimal supervision, direction and control as is appropriate.

(c) Shall mean an employee with the experience and qualifications of a level 3 employee who also possesses a Nationally accredited level 4 certificate in dental radiography and/or oral health education and performs the following indicative duties.

(d) An employee at this level may be required to undertake the following duties:

(i) tasks at level 2 and 3

(ii) taking, processing and filing dental radiographs;

(iii) general and specific oral health instruction of patients and or the public. Level 5

(a) Shall mean an employee who is appointed to supervise, train and co - ordinate other staff.

(b) An employee at this level may be required to undertake the following duties:

(i) establish and carry out occupational health and safety and infection control regulations and policies;

(ii) prepare of staff rosters and allocate tasks;

(iii) establish and supervise basic bookkeeping including GST and periodic tax requirements;

(iv) oversee all stock control and carry out ordering of supplies;

(v) maintain staff wages, records and organize payment of wages;

(vi) assist with recruitment and selection of staff;

(vii) maintain computer systems;

(viii) organise maintenance and repairs of surgery and office equipment;

(ix) prepare and maintain practice protocols.

(x) liaise with accountant and auditor as required under instruction of the employer;

(c) An employee at this level could be expected to perform the duties of an Office Administrator and the levels below including the duties of a Dental Assistant if the person has the necessary qualifications or expertise.