cohealth is one of Australia's largest community health organisations delivering a range of health and support services across Melbourne's CBD, northern and western suburbs.

Our mission is to strengthen community and make a difference to the lives and wellbeing of people, particularly of those who experience stigma and the risk of marginalisation. We create impact through a powerful combination of advocacy, innovation in service delivery, and partnership with consumers, communities and other stakeholders.

Our work is informed by human rights-based principles including participation, accountability, non-discrimination, empowerment and the practice of human rights standards. We require all employees to perform in a way that is in line with these principles and we strive to have a workforce that is reflective of the community we provide services to.

We celebrate difference and welcome people of all cultural backgrounds, faiths, genders, sexualities and abilities.

cohealth is a child safe and equal opportunity employer that offers generous salary packaging and opportunity to undertake professional training and development opportunities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to apply.

Position overview & purpose

This position sits within the Oral Health cluster; the Oral Health Program provides a range of preventive, restorative and health promoting activities to enhance the Oral Health of the community at their site in Kensington.

The Program delivers oral health care across the age continuum. Aligned with the philosophy of the organisation, the Program has a specific focus on the provision of oral health care to those marginalised and high needs groups within the community.

Our model of care enables our clients to share decision making with their oral health practitioners and have a preventive and minimal intervention approach. Client care plans are developed with collaboration of dental clients and the entire oral health team of dentists, dental and oral health therapists, dental hygienists, dental prosthetists, oral health educators and dental assistants. This results in a care plan specific to clients individualised needs and ensures clients commence their journey with a preventive focus to enable them to self-manage their oral health care.

We have a professional team environment aimed at improving access to services and the oral health of disadvantaged Victorians

The position will ensure the provision of high quality, efficient, effective and safe dental services to clients by undertaking dental assisting duties consistent with best practice and infection control standards, client-focused care, professionalism and an emphasis on teamwork in the dental surgery and within the entire dental team.

Key accountabilities:

• Maintain knowledge, skills, qualifications, accreditations and registrations through participation in professional development activities
• Carry out duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as well as cooperating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve Work Health & Safety (WHS)
• Comply and adhere to all cohealth policies and procedures including code of conduct and values
• Undertake special projects or tasks as required
• Perform all other duties as directed, within the limits of skills, competence and training to maximise flexibility and effectiveness
• Provide quality clinical chair side assisting to the dental operators
• Provide client focused dental care
• Compliance and maintenance of established infection control standards and policies relevant to the role
• Undertake sterilisation procedures,
• Maintenance of dental equipment, consumables and supplies in the dental clinics; and relevant administrative duties
• Regulates own behaviour, comprehends organisational structure and culture and acts appropriately in the execution of duties
• Actively participate in and contribute to dental team staff meetings
• Supervision undertaken with Line Manager
• Assists in the defusing difficult situations and seeking assistance with critical incidents
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other cohealth staff
• Complies with and assist other program staff to comply with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards including by actively participating in audits and quality improvement measures.
• Undertakes other duties as directed by Senior Dental Assistants/Team Leaders /Program Manager
• Assist when required with the induction and mentoring of new staff members, trainee staff members, agency staff and students

Position requirements:

• Working with Children's Check (WWCC)
• Victoria Police Check
• Current Victorian Driver's License

Key selection criteria:

• Ability to speak a relevant second language and understand cross-cultural issues.
• Previous experience in the public dental system
• Certificate 4 in Oral Health Education

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