You have at some point wished for a dental job with more flexible hours, right? Perhaps you are bored with the routine 9-5 jobs, or you want to gain exposure to various kinds of dental practice. Or probably, you are yearning for an extra income hence seeking a temp job that will suit your lifestyle.
All these are solid reasons why one should consider opening up temporary dental work opportunities. Temp work is not only exciting for newbies but also experienced heads in the field who love variety and change.
However, it is true that temporary work has its own share of problems. From having to put up with unpredictable shifts to learning how a new office works, there are downsides associated with working as temporary dental staff who fit in this role perfectly. In order to set yourself up for success, let us consider some key things that you need to know before starting your first temp dentistry job.
Understand your rights
It’s critical to comprehend the state and federal regulations governing your profession as well as your rights before deciding to work as a temp. With a few notable exceptions, temporary workers are categorized as employees by the US Department of Labor.
However, a typical grievance voiced by temporary dental workers is that certain referral staffing companies and dental practices treat them more like contractors than employees. Because of this categorization, the temp bears the greater tax burden, and in the worst-case scenario, you will not be qualified for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits as a contractor.
On the other hand, a good number of staffing companies issue W-2 forms, pay the necessary federal and state taxes, and employ temporary workers as full-time employees. After that, temporary workers are assigned to offices where they will work for predetermined amounts of time.
Whether you’re looking for part-time or full-time dental temp jobs, be sure your employment contract is advantageous to you and conforms with the law.
Be ready for anything unexpected
Before your start date, when you’ve been given a temporary assignment, think about contacting the dentist or office manager. Verify the address, the time you must arrive, the expected working hours, and any other queries you may have.
A dental staffing service will also be able to assist you with getting ready for your first day of work. A quality staffing company should be able to respond to any inquiries you may have regarding hours and pay rates and will have the resources necessary to guarantee you’re prepared to go.
On your first day, try to observe how the workplace runs and pay attention to the flow of work. In what way does a dentist like to work? Do employees and patients have long conversations, or are their appointments brief and arranged back-to-back? How and by whom are difficulties or problems handled when they arise? These types of specifics may be helpful hints for comprehending a clinic and will enable you to smoothly transition into office operations while offering your new clientele high-quality dental care.
Naturally, you can’t plan for every scenario or situation you run across, so don’t be hesitant to ask for assistance if anything unexpected does come up.
Make a favorable impression
Even with temporary work abnormalities, you may still build a strong relationship with the dentist’s office where you are placed. You may establish a positive working connection with a dental office by being helpful when needed and going above and above to understand how the office wants things done. This is similar to the kind of relationship you might form with frequent patients. Perhaps you assist with setting up and taking down rooms and equipment, or you volunteer to help when the dentist is running late.
In any case, ensure that patients always have a positive experience, and don’t be shy about asking other staff members for their opinions. These characteristics will make you memorable and stick out. You’ll make a lasting impression and raise your chances of getting called back the next time the practice needs a temporary employee if you have a positive attitude and are prepared to work hard.
Is it worth choosing a temporary job?
Temporary dental treatment may be a wonderful experience. Frequent office changes can enhance your clinical and communication abilities in various dental settings, expose you to a range of patient groups, and teach you new dental practices.
However, there are drawbacks to temporary employment in addition to its benefits. Working as temporary dental staff can be taxing due to a variety of factors, including unorganized offices, dealing with subpar equipment, high expectations, and unpredictable hours. Ultimately, developing a successful dentistry profession requires understanding who you are and how you like to work.