Career Center

General Functions:

Supervises, guides and instructs dental hygiene students providing care to patients in the dental hygiene clinic with emphasis on instruction in non-surgical management of patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease. Evaluates students' performance of all functions within the scope of practice of dental hygiene in the State of Illinois.

Participates in the preparation and/or review of teaching materials, evaluation of students, and other activities of instructional service.

Maintains awareness of the dental hygiene curriculum in terms of content sequence, scope, depth, standards of practice and procedures through a review of course outlines and syllabi, as well as attendance and participation in faculty meetings and professional development activities.

Characteristic Duties:

Instructional Preparation
1. Reviews relevant course outlines, syllabi and course documents for each course assignment.

2. Familiar with philosophies, content, strategies and techniques congruent with each clinical course and level.
Instruction

1. Provides individualized student guidance and instruction by:
a. assisting students in application of dental hygiene process of care, including patient assessment and recognition of disease.

b. counseling students in the use and application of evidence-based research & EBDM to guide development and implementation of a dental hygiene care plan.

c. guiding students in safe & effective instrumentation with emphasis on non-surgical treatment of patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease.

d. following clinical techniques as taught by the full-time faculty.

e. promoting development of students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the use of questioning.

f. demonstrating concern for students in all aspects of clinical education:

i. creates and/or supports a culture for learning.
ii. uses positive reinforcement to motivates students toward a philosophy of patient-centered care.
iii. communicates clearly and accurately.
iv. takes pleasure in teaching and/or displays a positive attitude about teaching.
v. clarifies behavioral expectations with students
vi. evaluates performance in a consistent manner.
vii. identifies and meets students' needs for individual guidance and supervision.
viii. refers students for help when needed.

2. Monitors students' skill development and patient management, ensuring that the dental hygiene standards of care are maintained.

3. Re-teaches or remediates students who do not achieve mastery.

4. Engages students in individual and/or in rotational group discussions regarding patient case management and the dental hygiene process of care as determined or directed by lead course faculty.

Evaluation & Data Recording
1. Evaluates students' performance and provides clear, specific and timely feedback regarding clinical skills development through the following mechanisms:

a. formative written (verbal if indicated) evaluations including product and process (skill assessment) outcomes.

b. summative written and verbal evaluations including product and process (skill assessment) outcomes as scheduled.

2. Maintains all necessary achievement records of students; monitors and updates student evaluations and progress records through regular entries into clinical grading system.

3. Assists students in identification, development and implementation of performance improvement plans.

4. Maintains ongoing communication with the full-time faculty concerning student progress and/or problems.

5. Conducts student conferences as needed.

6. Monitors and audits patients' records to assure accurate data recording.

Professional Accountability & Work Ethics
1. Creates and/or supports an environment of respect and rapport.

2. Manages students/rotational group to provide balanced instruction and supervision within assigned rotation.

3. Manages student behavior following established program standards of conduct.

4. Accepts responsibility for student outcomes.

5. Arrives 10 minutes prior to start of (or earlier, as specified by the lead course faculty) assigned clinic session and remains on the clinic floor for the entire lab, preclinic or clinic session.

6. Reports clinic absences to the lead clinical instructor and/or coordinator and arranges for substitute coverage.

7. Performs job responsibilities and acts in accordance with the Institutional Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Excellence.

8. Maintains current license & CPR certification.

9. Provides health clearance and required documentation to meet program and college employment requirements.

Professional Development
1. Actively seeks to refine competencies and enhance skills as clinician and educator.

2. Attends continuing education courses to maintain licensure requirements and to keep abreast of changing patterns of dental hygiene practice.

3. Attends program meetings and faculty development activities as
scheduled.

4. Participates in clinical calibration activities as indicated.

5. Maintains compliance with CODA accreditation standards to have current background in education theory and practice, concepts relative to teaching assignments, and clinical patient experience.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:

Education: Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program. B.S. degree
Experience: Employment as a clinical dental hygienist with documentation of 3+ years of clinical experience providing non-surgical dental hygiene care to patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease including administration of local anesthesia.
Skills: Documentation of continuing education in courses regarding current perio treatment modalities & evidence-based research/dental hygiene practice.
Licensure: Valid Illinois Dental Hygiene license. Illinois certification in local anesthesia & nitrous oxide administration. Current CPR /BLS certification