The coronavirus pandemic left many dental professionals without a job. The dental practice that you worked for may not be able to hire you back right now, or in the future. If you decide that looking for a position elsewhere is best for you, make sure you stand out among the other candidates.
Finding a quality dental practice to advance your career could be easy, provided you exhibit the qualities of a great employee. In addition to your education, there are personal qualities that could help you stand out in a pile of applicants. If you desire to be an indispensable dental practice employee who is looked up to and valued for input and advice for various matters while avoiding common pitfalls, then continue reading. Bryant Consultants is sharing qualities that make the best dental practice employees and common mistakes to avoid so you could land your dream job.
Qualities of a Good Employee
Below are common qualities most employers search for when hiring new team members.
- Punctual – Punctuality is critical when arriving at work as it shows commitment to your job, co-workers, patients, and dental practice.
- Presentable – Following the dress code is required for dental practices. Ensure you wear appropriate clothing that is clean and well-pressed.
- Trustworthy – Patient information is sensitive, and your employer should feel they can trust you with information without fear of it being shared with other patients.
- Positive – Pleasantness through smiling and greeting others goes a long way with both co-workers, supervisors, and your patients. Refrain from complaining about work or personal issues as it could be distracting to others, and it brings down morale.
- Accountable – When assigned a task, the office manager or owner should be confident in your skills and abilities that the work would be completed correctly and on time without the need for micromanagement.
- Honesty – Integrity is key and a highly valued trait of an employee, so you should be honest about yourself and your work. Always conduct yourself as if your boss were watching.
- Team Player – Working each day with a team of office personnel is an essential part of a dental practice. If you can assist other team members and help them excel, you could be viewed as a strong leader among the team.
- Good Listener – Listening carefully and attentively to both staff members and patients could prevent potential problems and provide a good long-term relationship.
- Open to Positive Criticism – Making a mistake is a human trait that you should be willing to accept and correct.
- Lifelong Learner – Continuously learning about new developments in your field or engaging in self-development shows the willingness to change and grow. This includes learning that goes above and beyond your required CE credits.
- Solution Driven – Provide new insight into solving problems by using creative approaches or sharing innovative ideas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even if you possess the above qualities but fall into some of the following situations, it could lead to discipline or possible termination depending on the severity of the situation.
- Missing Work – Missing days when you are scheduled shows a lack of dedication.
- Carelessness – Attention to detail is a critical component of a patient’s oral and overall health. Carelessness could result in legal action against you or the practice.
- Gossip – Participating in office gossip is counter-productive and seen as a nuisance as it could be destructive to a team environment.
- Procrastination – Waiting to finish a task or project could cause problems in other departments and illustrates poor work ethics.
- Disturbing or Distracting Co-workers – Personal calls, lengthy personal conversations, listening to loud music, or consistently disturbing co-workers slows productivity and increases risks of mistakes.
- Not Contributing – When a problem arises, and you do not contribute to a viable solution or show a willingness to help, you may not be seen as a team player, which makes it difficult for others to work with you.
- Making Excuses – Excuses provide negative influences that could discourage others from improvements or solutions. Also, the reasons why an idea will not work instead of what could be done differently may show an unwillingness to change.
Dental Practice Consultation in Kingsport
Finding and keeping your dream job in a dental practice requires good work ethics, honesty, and a go-getter mentality. Experience a rewarding career in the dental field by focusing on the good qualities that make you an exceptional employee, and avoid pitfalls that bring down office morale. As a dental consuting agency that has significant experience partnering with dental practices across the country, we believe that these qualities are what make a star employee. If you have any questions about the qualifications of a good employee or would like to speak to Bryant Consultants about your practice, feel free to call (877) 768-4799 or contact us online, and we would be happy to schedule a consultation with you. Are you on social media? We are too! Please connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
