Orthodontic Assistant

ORTHODONTIC COACHJOB DESCRIPTIONPOSITION SUMMARY

The Orthodontic Coach supports excellent clinical care while creating an exceptional patient and team experience.

Clinical skill is important, but success in this role is defined by much more than technical ability. The ideal Orthodontic Coach is positive, team-oriented, personable, compassionate, reliable, detail-oriented, humble, coachable, receptive to feedback, accountable, adaptable, professional under stress, willing to take ownership, and committed to continuous improvement.

A fundamental expectation of this role is providing a five-star patient experience while helping the doctor and clinical team operate efficiently, calmly, and successfully.

Patients should be treated as people first—not simply as patients or procedures.

The Orthodontic Coach is expected to practice skills, receive coaching, change habits, learn new systems, and continually improve.

This role is not limited to traditional orthodontic assisting responsibilities. When asked, the team member is expected to step outside the traditional boundaries of the Orthodontic Coach position and assist the doctor, team, patients, practice, or community.

Being asked to contribute outside of the listed responsibilities is an expected part of the role.

The practice will provide reasonable time, appropriate instruction and training, and the tools and resources necessary to successfully complete responsibilities the team member is asked to undertake.

WORK SCHEDULE & PRACTICE LOCATIONS

Work Schedule

• This is a full-time position requiring work five days per week.
• General office hours are 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
• The daily team huddle begins at 6:45 AM, and team members are expected to be present, prepared, and ready to participate at that time.
• Actual working hours may vary according to patient schedules and operational needs, including occasional hours from 6:30 AM–4:30 PM.

Practice Locations

Gwinnett Orthodontics
956 Killian Hill Road SW, Suite D
Lilburn, GA 30047

Smile Ortho
755 Commerce Drive, Suite 520
Decatur, GA 30030

Rotation Between Practices

The Orthodontic Coach's regular work schedule will include rotation between both Gwinnett Orthodontics and Smile Ortho.

Working at both locations is an expected part of the position rather than an occasional or exceptional assignment.

The specific days assigned to each practice may vary depending on patient schedules, staffing requirements, training, and operational needs.

Team members are expected to demonstrate flexibility and readiness to contribute effectively at either location.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Orthodontic Coach is expected to:

• Assist with orthodontic procedures within appropriate training and permitted scope.
• Help create a safe, organized, efficient, and welcoming clinical environment.
• Prepare, clean, stock, and maintain treatment areas.
• Support sterilization and infection-control procedures.
• Maintain efficient patient flow.
• Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and families.
• Remain attentive to patient comfort throughout treatment.
• Support the doctor and other team members throughout the clinical day.
• Complete clinical, administrative, or operational responsibilities assigned by the practice.
• Continually improve clinical knowledge, communication, efficiency, and patient-care skills.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE ORTHODONTIC COACH MUST DEMONSTRATE:

• Teamwork & Service
• Coachability & Continuous Improvement
• Accountability & Ownership
• Reliability & Follow-Through
• Positive Attitude & Professionalism

These characteristics are fundamental expectations of the position and are described in greater detail under the Foundational Eligibility Standard.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

This job description is a guide to the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not an all-encompassing list of duties and does not define the boundaries of what the team member may be asked to do.

A fundamental expectation of being part of the practice is a willingness to serve beyond an individual title or task list.

When asked to assist with a responsibility outside of the duties listed in this document, the team member is expected to do so.

This may include responsibilities that support the doctor, team, patients, practice, or community.

The expectation is not for the team member to determine whether an additional responsibility falls within the traditional definition of an Orthodontic Coach position.

If the practice asks for assistance, contributing is part of the role.

The guiding mindset should not be:

"Is this part of my job description?"

Instead:

"I have been asked to help the practice and the people around me, and I will take ownership of doing so successfully."

ORTHODONTIC COACH RESPONSIBILITIES

PATIENT CARE & CLINICAL SUPPORT

• Assist the doctor with orthodontic procedures within training and permitted scope.
• Prepare patients appropriately for treatment.
• Maintain awareness of patient comfort.
• Communicate clearly with patients and parents before, during, and after treatment.
• Reinforce doctor and practice instructions accurately.
• Provide appropriate patient education and coaching.
• Treat every patient with patience, kindness, dignity, and respect.

TREATMENT AREAS & CLINICAL READINESS

• Prepare operatories before patient care begins.
• Ensure required instruments and materials are available.
• Clean and reset treatment areas efficiently between patients.
• Maintain appropriate stocking levels.
• Keep equipment and clinical areas organized and ready for use.
• Communicate missing supplies, equipment concerns, or other issues promptly.

STERILIZATION & INFECTION CONTROL

• Follow established sterilization and infection-control protocols.
• Properly process instruments and clinical materials.
• Help maintain an organized sterilization area.
• Support efficient sterilization flow throughout the day.
• Follow safety and cleanliness standards consistently.

PATIENT FLOW

• Help maintain efficient movement of patients through the clinical schedule.
• Remain aware of the schedule and anticipate upcoming patient needs.
• Communicate delays or concerns promptly.
• Support teammates when another area of the clinic requires assistance.
• Help reduce unnecessary waiting and maintain an organized clinical environment.

DOCTOR & TEAM SUPPORT

• Anticipate clinical needs whenever possible.
• Listen carefully to doctor instructions and carry them through accurately.
• Ask questions when an instruction is unclear rather than assuming.
• Communicate unfinished tasks or concerns before transferring responsibility.
• Support other Coaches when asked.
• Help the clinical team complete the day successfully rather than focusing only on individually assigned patients or chairs.

DOCUMENTATION & FOLLOW-THROUGH

• Complete required clinical documentation accurately and promptly.
• Document relevant patient communication and treatment information.
• Complete assigned task lists and follow-up responsibilities.
• Maintain awareness of unfinished responsibilities.
• Take ownership of ensuring assigned tasks reach completion.

PATIENT EXPERIENCE

A fundamental responsibility of the Orthodontic Coach is providing a five-star patient experience.

Every patient should feel that the Coach:

• Knows who they are.
• Is happy to see them.
• Listens to them.
• Cares about their comfort.
• Communicates intentionally.
• Respects their time.
• Treats them as a person rather than simply another appointment.

Clinical efficiency should never eliminate warmth or personal connection.

When a patient or parent has a concern, the Coach should listen carefully, respond professionally, and obtain assistance from the appropriate team member when necessary.

TEAM, PRACTICE & COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Above all individual duties and performance goals, one of the most important expectations of this role is the team member's ability to contribute to the practice and the people around them.

Success is not defined only by clinical skill, speed, completing procedures, or finishing assigned tasks.

Success also requires a consistent commitment to serving the patients, team, doctor, practice, and community.

The responsibilities in this document are a guide and not the boundaries of the position.

When asked to assist with responsibilities outside of the listed duties, the team member is expected to do so with the same ownership, professionalism, accountability, and follow-through applied to primary responsibilities.

CAREER GROWTH, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE BONUSES

The practice's career hierarchy provides opportunities for professional development, promotion, increased responsibility, leadership, advancement, and performance bonuses.

Advancement and performance bonuses may be measured using clear, objective, and measurable performance metrics.

However, measurable performance is not the first requirement for eligibility.

FOUNDATIONAL ELIGIBILITY STANDARD — FIRST AND FOREMOST

Eligibility for career advancement and performance bonuses requires consistently demonstrating the following foundational expectations:

1. Teamwork & Service

Prioritize the success of the team and practice, actively support the doctor and fellow team members, and willingly contribute beyond individual responsibilities when asked.

2. Coachability & Continuous Improvement

Remain receptive to feedback, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and actively apply coaching to improve performance and behavior.

3. Accountability & Ownership

Take responsibility for assigned duties, decisions, mistakes, and outcomes—even when others may have contributed—without defensiveness or blame-shifting.

4. Reliability & Follow-Through

Consistently fulfill commitments, complete responsibilities, communicate concerns promptly, and demonstrate dependability.

5. Positive Attitude & Professionalism

Maintain a constructive, respectful, and solutions-oriented approach while demonstrating professional composure, particularly under stress.

These foundational expectations must be consistently met before measurable performance results are considered for advancement or performance bonuses.

Strong numerical performance alone does not compensate for deficiencies in these foundational expectations.

Advancement and bonuses therefore recognize both measurable results and a consistent commitment to the values and success of the practice.

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person