Oral Surgical Assistant

Oral Surgical Assistant

Location: Kerrville, TX Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Oral SurgicalAssistant for a well-established oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Kerrville, TX.

The Oral Surgical Assistant will work closely with oral surgeons and the clinical team to support surgical procedures while ensuring an efficient workflow and exceptional patient care throughout the surgical process. This position plays an important role in preparing patients and surgical suites, assisting during procedures, monitoring patients, and providing postoperative support.

The ideal candidate is passionate about patient comfort and safety, has strong technical skills, and thrives in a collaborative clinical environment.

Key Responsibilities

Preoperative Responsibilities

• Prepare and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment according to established OSHA, infection control, and safety guidelines.
• Set up operating and procedure rooms with required instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications.
• Review and update patient medical histories, allergies, medications, and other relevant clinical information.
• Review preoperative instructions with patients and provide education regarding upcoming procedures.
• Answer patient questions and help patients feel comfortable and prepared for surgery.
• Assist with the administration of anesthesia under the supervision and direction of the surgeon and/or anesthetist.

Surgical Assistance

• Provide chairside and surgical assistance to oral surgeons during procedures.
• Anticipate the surgeon's needs and efficiently pass and handle surgical instruments.
• Assist with tissue retraction and maintaining clear visibility of the surgical field.
• Manage suction and irrigation throughout procedures.
• Monitor and support patient vital signs as directed by the surgical team.
• Maintain sterile technique and follow infection control and safety protocols throughout procedures.
• Help ensure surgical procedures run safely and efficiently.

Postoperative Care

• Assist with patient recovery and monitor patients following anesthesia as directed by the clinical team.
• Provide patients and caregivers with postoperative care instructions.
• Answer postoperative questions within the scope of the position and escalate clinical concerns when appropriate.
• Schedule or coordinate follow-up appointments as needed.
• Clean, disinfect, sterilize, and restock surgical suites following procedures.
• Properly handle and dispose of biohazardous materials in accordance with safety requirements.
• Prepare surgical areas for subsequent procedures.

Radiography & Infection Control

• Take and process required dental radiographs.
• Assist with CBCT, panoramic X-rays, and other applicable dental imaging.
• Follow appropriate radiographic safety procedures to minimize exposure.
• Follow established sterilization and infection-control procedures to maintain a clean and safe clinical environment.
• Ensure instruments and equipment are properly cleaned, sterilized, stored, and maintained.

Patient Care & Clinical Support

• Provide compassionate and professional care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Address patient questions and concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Maintain accurate and detailed patient records.
• Enter and manage patient information using applicable dental and electronic medical record systems.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive health information.
• Monitor clinical inventory and assist with ordering supplies to ensure appropriate stock levels.
• Coordinate with front office staff to support scheduling and efficient patient flow.
• Assist with insurance verification and pre-authorizations as needed.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and continuing education opportunities to remain current on practice procedures and clinical best practices.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Current Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification required.
• Current CPR/BLS certification required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a dental or surgical assisting role, preferably within oral and maxillofacial surgery.
• Experience with dental radiography and surgical instrument handling.
• Familiarity with electronic medical records and/or dental practice management systems.
• Strong understanding of sterilization, infection control, and clinical safety procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong commitment to patient care, safety, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a fast-paced surgical team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a dental assisting or surgical technology program.
• Previous oral and maxillofacial surgery experience.
• Experience with CBCT and panoramic imaging.
• DAANCE certification is a plus.
• Previous experience assisting with anesthesia and patient monitoring.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong surgical assisting skills with compassionate patient care.

The right candidate understands that oral surgery can be stressful for patients and knows how to create a professional, reassuring environment while maintaining a strong focus on safety and clinical accuracy.

This person should be comfortable working alongside surgeons, anticipating clinical needs, assisting with procedures, maintaining sterile environments, and supporting patients throughout the entire surgical experience.

Schedule & Work Environment

• Full-time position
• Onsite in Kerrville, TX
• Clinical and surgical office environment
• Moderate noise levels from dental, surgical, and laboratory equipment
• Ability to stand for extended periods, potentially up to 8 hours
• Frequent bending, twisting, reaching, and position changes while assisting patients and surgeons
• Ability to lift and maneuver supplies and equipment weighing up to approximately 35 pounds
• Ability to assist with patient movement when necessary
• Strong hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills required

Benefits

• 401(k) with 3% Non-Elective Safe Harbor Contribution
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Voluntary life insurance
• Paid time off

A job offer may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Radiation safety procedures • Background check • Biological safety protocols • Health insurance authorizations • Biomedical waste • CPR Certification • Patient follow-up care • Teamwork • Preoperative patient preparation • Dental office • Patient question and concern management • Surgery • Health savings account • Preparing dental treatment areas • Surgical tissue handling and manipulation • Surgical instrument organization • Pre-examination patient preparation • Medical insurance coverage verification • Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) • BLS Certification • In-person customer service • Oral surgery assistance experience • Practice management software • Patient safety measures implementation • Full-time • Disability insurance • Mid-level • Healthcare infection prevention and control expertise • Health insurance • Working with individuals in post-surgery recovery • Medical scheduling • High school diploma or GED • Preparing medical treatment area • Dental insurance • 401(k) • Medication history review • Flexible spending account • Patient history taking • Emotional support for patients • Records management • Paid time off • Operating room inventory management • Operating room • Registered Dental Assistant • Panoramic x-ray • Perioperative Care • Dental equipment • Perioperative care • Patient monitoring during surgery • Medical equipment cleaning • Surgical suction device handling • Sterile processing inventory management • Medical assisting • Vision insurance • Biohazard disposal procedures • Dental Assisting • In-person • 1 year • Clinical confidentiality policies • Suction machines • Instrument maintenance • Medical post-procedure instructions • Patient education • Oral surgery • Safety standard operating procedures • Managing patient records • Care coordination • Radiology • Ability to stand for extended periods • Ordering supplies • Surface decontamination • Communication skills • Life insurance • Patient observation • Medical waste disposal • Surgical Technology • Collaboration with surgical teams • Dental care patient education • Autoclaving