Position Number(s) Community Division/Region(s) Fort Smith Health/Fort Smith

Transcription

1 IDENTIFICATION Department Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Position Title Dental Therapist Position Number(s) Community Division/Region(s) Fort Smith Health/Fort Smith PURPOSE OF THE POSITION Provides primary oral health care to children and adults (emergency situations only) patients in accordance with the established standards of the Canadian Dental Therapists Association and the philosophy and objectives of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) to ensure patients improve and maintain optimum oral health. SCOPE The NTHSSA administers all regional health and social services programs through the Fort Smith Health Center, Northern Lights Special Care Home (NLSCH), Community Wellness Center and other off-site facilities. The Fort Smith Health Center is an accredited facility which includes six community beds, OPD, birthing program, public health, home care, medical clinic, social services, wellness programs, and rehabilitation team. The NTHSSA serves approximately the residents of Fort Smith as well as residents of Fort Fitzgerald. The dental therapy program is located within JBT Elementary School in Fort Smith and reports to supervisor of public health. The incumbent independently provides clinical intraoral restorative and preventative dental treatment to school age children (grades K to 6) routinely. The incumbent provides emergency treatment (i.e. post-surgical treatment, etc.) to adults. The dental therapist develops and delivers community based oral/dental health promotion and educational activities to individuals or groups within the schools, correctional facilities, etc. Furthermore, the incumbent develops oral/dental health promotion material and activities to be distributed in partnership with a public health nurse and other health care professionals (preschool physicals, diabetes mini clinic, and healthy families). Dentists are the main referral source for dental therapist's patients (recall examinations). A physician, public complications, and providing local anesthetics to manage pain to restore and maintain the August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 1 of 6

2 health of the dental patient. Activities of the dental therapy include but are not limited to taking X-rays, providing fillings, performing extractions within a dental therapist's scope of practice, installing stainless steel crowns, providing fluoride treatment, sealants, suturing and performs recall examinations. The incumbent may also perform oral diagnosis and examination in emergency cases; can also administer local anesthesia for dental procedures when required. If and when treatment is not within scope of practice for the dental therapist, the incumbent will refer the patient to a dentist. The dental therapist may also cross-refer the patient to a physician or nurse practitioner for antibiotic treatment. As the sole dental therapist providing care in Fort Smith, the incumbent provides functional expertise and direction to other health care professionals on the delivery of oral health care, promotion, and prevention. health nurse, or parent may also refer. In addition, the dental therapist will identify school age patients who require treatment through screening. The incumbent implements direct patient care including restoring teeth to proper form, function and esthetics, recognizing and managing dental emergencies, post-extraction RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provides direct and independent dental therapy services to patients within a multidisciplinary setting. The incumbent screens and assesses patient's needs for dental treatment. Provides treatment to patients as per the treatment plan developed by a visiting dentist (GNWT). Investigate and document the medical history of patients and inform at risk patients of the necessary considerations for dental treatment. Examine, diagnose, develop an inclusive recall treatment plan that will concentrate on the patient's needs, will refer when appropriate, document and evaluate care, and adapt the treatment plan, as appropriate, to ensure best practices are established. Deliver prophylactic treatment to reduce the incidence of decay. Assist patients to comprehend and maintain maximum oral/dental health. Advocate the dignity and self-respect of all patients. The incumbent must be aware of the importance of confidentiality and be able to keep personal and medical information private and confidential at all times. Advocate for patients with other agencies, family, and other health care professionals to ensure appropriate needs in regards to the treatment plan are maintained. Promote the autonomy of patients and help them to express their health needs and values to obtain suitable information and services. Safeguard the trust of patients that information learned in the context of a professional relationship is shared outside the health care team only with the patient's permission or as legally required. Relate and promote principles of equity to assist patients to receive unbiased treatment, health services, and resources proportionate to their needs. Perform in a dependable manner with their professional responsibilities and standards of practice. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 2 of 6

3 2. The dental therapist will develop, coordinate and facilitate education to clients, individually or group settings. Use a holistic approach to facilitate individual learning of dental health (i.e. self-care, health promotion, etc.) within the clinic, schools, and community. Visits Day homes, preschool, Aboriginal Head Start, Healthy Families, Trail Cross Youth Facility (Woods Homes), and Our Babies, Our Future and Our Kids, Our Future every 3-6 months for dental health presentations, treatment, and screening as required. In combination with public health staff, engage with Diabetes Mini Clinic to provide dental health education, screening, and denture care. Collaborate with midwifery department to provide education and oral health packages. Provide education for seniors and long term care (LTC) patients for dental health and denture care; refer as indicated. Offer training for LTC staff as required. Provide dental screening and oral hygiene instruction during Preschool and Three Year Old Physicals in combination with public health staff on annual basis. Offer direction for new students at Aurora College and provide oral health packages on annual basis. Provide dental health education, presentations, X-Rays, restorative treatment (fillings, pulpotomy, stainless steel crowns, prophy (cleaning), fluoride treatments, scaling, extractions, and referrals as indicated to Elementary school students. Offer dental health education and presentations to High School students. Assess the patient for physical needs, their knowledge of personal dental health, disease process, and learning needs. Assess and evaluate the oral health of populations, gather and interpret epidemiological data, and plan, develop, and initiate oral health programs to concentrate on the recognized needs. Research, develop, revise and evaluate educational resources necessary to support patients, stakeholders (i.e. parents, teachers, community members) and other health care professionals on a continual basis. 3. Advocate practice environments that have the organizational and resource allocations necessary for safe, competent, and ethnical clinical dental care. Maintain a clinical environment that is absent of micro-organisms that produce disease (i.e. sterilize instruments and immediate surroundings). Apply appropriate infection control measures. Create and maintain patient records. Provide training and leadership to peers, students, and other members of the health care team to develop skill levels essential to achieve the standard of care. Collaborate with dentists, physicians, community/public health nurses, and other members of the health care team to advocate oral health care environments that are conducive to ethical practice and to the health and well-being of patients and others in the community. Participate in committees, task teams, research projects as related to dental therapy. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 3 of 6

4 4. Communicate with other members of the health care team regarding the dental health care of patients to provide continuity of care and promote collaborative efforts directed toward quality patient care. 5. Effectively operate and maintain equipment by troubleshooting and ensure appropriate maintenance and repairs on dental equipment. Contact appropriate maintenance staff as required. WORKING CONDITIONS (Working Conditions identify the unusual and unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create hardship for the incumbent.) Physical Demands Approximately 50% of the incumbent's day will be spent bending and standing in awkward positions while performing patient assessment or providing care/treatment. The incumbent will move and lift heavy dental equipment during patient assessment and care. Environmental Conditions The incumbent is exposed to communicable diseases, blood and bodily fluids, hazardous materials (sharps, toxic cleaning and sterilizing solutions) that can result in potential health risk to the incumbent's health. The incumbent is exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation during x-ray examinations (most is avoidable - i.e. behind protective screens) as well as toxic chemical (cider fixer and developer) required to produce hard copy images. Sensory Demands The incumbent will be required to use the combined sense of touch, sight, smell, and hearing during assessment and provision of care in a variety of settings that vary from controlled (i.e. clinic) to uncontrolled (i.e. classroom). Uncontrolled settings may be distracting for both the incumbent and the patient (noise level, visual commotion, etc.). Examination of patients and applications of treatment, whether in a classroom or clinic, requires sustained periods of concentration, precision work and co-ordination to operate a number of instruments while monitoring the patient at the same time. The incumbent must constantly aware of patient's physical and emotional needs. Mental Demands The Dental Therapist has the opportunity to develop relationships with patients in the dental therapy program. The incumbent is expected to remain calm, controlled and professional regardless of the situation and demonstrate compassionate care to the patient, family, and other members of the health care team. Pediatric patients may cry or be uncooperative during dental treatment and patient management may be difficult in these types of circumstances. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 4 of 6

5 As the only dental therapist in the community, the incumbent works in professional isolation, unable to request on site opinions or assistance. There is uncertainty in knowing what to expect during working hours. There is legitimate concern about risk of verbal or physical assault and unknown and unpredictable situations (i.e. patients or family members under the influence of alcohol). In addition, within the health care setting there can be significant lack of control over the work pace, with frequent interruptions that may lead to mental fatigue or stress. The incumbent is required to be motivated and innovative in the area of continuing education and practice to encourage the professional growth of self and others. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The dental therapist must have the ability to assess and modify prescribed dental treatment to accommodate for change is dental status. Knowledge of and an ability to apply dental therapy processes (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) and current dental practice to ensure that the patient's physical, emotional, and educational needs are met. Provide training, advice, and assessment using specialized equipment, treatment, tools and techniques (including but not limited to sharps, x-ray equipment, various drills, air/water syringe, suction tools, various hand tools, sterilizer, etc.). Knowledge of oral anatomy (head and neck) in relation to local anesthesia considerations and techniques for safe and effective patient treatment. Knowledge of oral anatomy in relation to muscle, nervous, and circulatory systems. Knowledge of current universal precautions and appropriate and effective infection control measures (in relation to clinical environment). Proficiency in working with word-processing and spreadsheet software, internet, and . Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral. An ability to develop and interpret dental radiographs to assist in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and case presentation. Knowledge of education principles related to both adult and child learners in order to develop and deliver subject specific training and development. The incumbent must be aware of the importance of confidentiality and be able to keep personal and medical information private and confidential at all times. Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by: The level of knowledge is obtained through successful completion of a two year postsecondary diploma program (Dental Therapist Program) that is designed to provide a level of knowledge, experience and skills to deliver effective and appropriate oral health services, within their defined scope of practice. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 5 of 6

6 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Fort Smith Regional Requirements Within the Fort Smith Region, health care providers must be able to acquire within a reasonable time frame and remain current with the following training and certifications: WHMIS CPR Fire and Safety Training NVCI Internet and applications Class 5 Driver's license Must be licensed with the NWT Professional Registrar, Position Security (check one) No criminal records check required Position of Trust criminal records check required Highly sensitive position requires verification of identity and a criminal records check French language (check one) French required French preferred French not required August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 6 of 6