Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Erika Irizarry

Fonda,NY

Summary

Dynamic dental professional with extensive experience at Slavin, Jackson, Burns DDS PLLC, excelling in dental radiography and patient education. Proven ability to enhance patient comfort and satisfaction through active listening and effective communication. Skilled in equipment sterilization, ensuring a safe environment while supporting optimal treatment outcomes. Bilingual proficiency enhances patient interactions.

Dental professional with solid foundation in dental assisting, skilled in supporting dental procedures and patient care. Proven ability to adapt to dynamic work environments and collaborate effectively with dental teams. Known for attention to detail and excellent communication skills, fostering positive experience for patients and colleagues.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Dental Assistant

Slavin, Jackson, Burns DDS PllC.
08.2022 - Current
  • Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
  • Maintained a clean and sterile work environment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.
  • Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
  • Provided chairside assistance during examinations, improving dentist efficiency and patient satisfaction.
  • Performed x-rays safely while adhering to radiation safety guidelines, ensuring high-quality diagnostic images for dentists'' evaluations.
  • Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
  • Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
  • Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
  • Assisted dentists with complex procedures, ensuring optimal patient care and treatment outcomes.
  • Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
  • Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
  • Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
  • Managed inventory of dental supplies, reducing waste and optimizing resource allocation.
  • Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, promoting long-term dental health.

Oral Surgeon Assistant

Dr. Lawrence Marks DDS
06.2018 - 08.2022
  • Assisted oral surgeons during complex surgical procedures, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients.
  • Provided exceptional chairside assistance during extractions, implants, and other oral surgeries.
  • Safeguarded patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations when handling sensitive information.
  • Supported the oral surgeon in emergency situations, demonstrating quick thinking and effective problem-solving skills under pressure.
  • Ensured timely follow-up appointments by coordinating schedules with patients and dental professionals alike.
  • Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate pre-operative care and preparation.
  • Reduced patient anxiety by explaining procedures in a clear and reassuring manner.
  • Collaborated with the oral surgery team to develop and implement post-operative care plans for patients.
  • Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
  • Monitored patient comfort and safety during dental procedures.
  • Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings,, casts and impressions.

Phlebotomist

LabCorp
10.2016 - 05.2018
  • Enhanced patient experience through compassionate care and communication during blood draw procedures.
  • Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
  • Maintained a high level of accuracy in labeling and tracking specimens, ensuring proper testing and timely results.
  • Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
  • Reduced contamination risks by strictly adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining a clean work environment.
  • Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
  • Excelled in high-pressure situations, maintaining composure and professionalism during peak hours and emergency scenarios.
  • Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
  • Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
  • Demonstrated adaptability by effectively performing blood draws on diverse patient populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and challenging cases.
  • Established and maintained positive working relationships with patients, staff and clinical personnel to build trust and camaraderie.
  • Improved patient comfort by efficiently drawing blood samples using various techniques such as venipuncture and capillary puncture.
  • Assembled tourniquets, needles, and blood collection devices to prepare work trays.
  • Packaged and shipped specimens to central lab daily.
  • Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
  • Increased patient satisfaction rates through consistent delivery of professional phlebotomy services tailored to individual needs.
  • Collaborated with medical professionals to ensure accurate test orders and appropriate sample collection methods were used.
  • Promoted a positive atmosphere within the phlebotomy department through active participation in team meetings and effective communication with colleagues.
  • Organized daily work based on collection priority.
  • Actively engaged with patients to educate them on proper post-draw care, reducing potential complications and ensuring their comfort throughout the process.
  • Ensured uninterrupted service by properly maintaining phlebotomy equipment, including centrifuges, needles, and tourniquets.
  • Conducted venipuncture and other CT procedures.

Phlebotomist

St. Elizabeth Medical Center
03.2006 - 07.2010
  • Addressed questions and concerns to educate patients on collection process and procedures.
  • Contributed to a reduction in wait times by quickly assessing patient needs, prioritizing cases based on urgency, and efficiently completing blood draw procedures.
  • Participated in cross-training initiatives, bolstering the overall skill set of the team and promoting a collaborative work environment.
  • Supported quality assurance efforts by diligently documenting all relevant information during the collection process, ensuring accurate test results for patients and providers alike.
  • Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to varying patient needs, including accommodating special requests or working with individuals who have severe needle anxiety or unique medical conditions.
  • Enhanced laboratory efficiency by accurately labeling and organizing specimens for timely processing.
  • Provided excellent customer service with effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families, and hospital staff.
  • Assisted in maintaining adequate inventory levels of phlebotomy supplies, preventing shortages that could disrupt workflow or compromise patient care quality.
  • Consistently met high performance metrics related to puncture success rate, minimal discomfort experienced by patients, and the number of specimens collected per shift.
  • Upheld rigorous standards for infection control, ensuring the safety of both patients and colleagues through consistent adherence to protective measures like glove use and hand hygiene practices.
  • Streamlined testing processes with proper centrifugation techniques, resulting in faster turnaround times for test results delivery to physicians.
  • Supported optimal patient care by performing venipuncture using various techniques such as butterfly needles, straight needles, and fingerstick methods.
  • Facilitated timely diagnosis and treatment by promptly delivering specimens to appropriate departments or external facilities.
  • Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  • Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
  • Performed venipunctures, finger sticks and heel sticks for both adult and pediatric patients.
  • Participated in continuing education programs to stay up to date on new technologies and procedures.

Education

High School Diploma -

Thomas Proctor High School
Utica, NY

No Degree - Phlebotomy

Boces Oneida Herkimer
New Hartford, NY

Skills

  • Dental impressions
  • Dental radiography
  • Digital X-ray proficiency
  • Equipment sterilization
  • Bilingual medical vocabulary
  • Bilingual proficiency
  • Bilingual oral communication
  • Fluent bilingual communication
  • Active listening
  • Critical thinking
  • Data entry
  • Customer service
  • Relationship building
  • Problem resolution

Timeline

Dental Assistant

Slavin, Jackson, Burns DDS PllC.
08.2022 - Current

Oral Surgeon Assistant

Dr. Lawrence Marks DDS
06.2018 - 08.2022

Phlebotomist

LabCorp
10.2016 - 05.2018

Phlebotomist

St. Elizabeth Medical Center
03.2006 - 07.2010

High School Diploma -

Thomas Proctor High School

No Degree - Phlebotomy

Boces Oneida Herkimer

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