2. Academic Definition
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Job analysis is the systematic study of a job
to determine
• Which activities and responsibilities it
includes.
• Its relative importance to other jobs.
• Personal qualifications necessary for
performance of the job.
• Conditions under which the work is
performed. (SHRM, 2013)
3. Organizations
• Use a job analysis to gain
competitive advantage.
• Decrease attrition.
• Increase productivity .
• Increase cost savings.
(SHRM)
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4. Methods of Collecting Data
INTERVIEW METHOD QUESTIONARRIE METHOD
Pros Cons Pros Cons
Incumbent
describes work
Experienced
Interviewer
Required
Lower Cost and
trained interviewer
not required
Could be difficult
to construct
Examine
qualitative data
Data is subjective
and should be
verified
Easier to use
technology to
reach multiple
workers
Incomplete
responses or
extraneous data
Data about
cognitive
processes
Difficult to
combine data from
multiple
interviews
Questions/Data is
structured with
closed or open –
ended questions
Responses may be
difficult to
interpret
(“Advantages”, 2013)
5. Rationale in Collecting Data
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INTERVIEW METHOD QUESTIONARRIE METHOD
• More complex questions can be asked.
• Flexibility to use phone, skype, or in-
person methods.
• Able to adjust structured questions into
other areas as needed.
• For Dental Assistant assessing
communication skills, body language,
and ability to reason could be enhanced
• (Job Analysis Methods, n.d.)
• Collection of basic information
for a group done much faster.
• Can delegate this task to a non-
manager once constructed to
send out.
• Ability to control costs and
structure of information
presented.
6. Experience in Collecting Data
• Overall, data collection was more about
organization.
• Pre-organizing structure of questions.
• Reconciling interview information.
• “Scoring” data with some relevant meaning.
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7. Job Description
The Dental Assistant will increase the efficiency of the dentist in
the delivery of quality oral healthcare, including assisting the
dentist during a variety of procedures. The non-exempt position
will require a flexible schedule, including evening hours, and some
Saturdays.
• Taking and developing X-Rays.
• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after
dental treatment.
• Performing office management tasks/MS Office preferred.
• Communicating with patients for scheduling/appointments,
billing and ordering supplies.
(“Dental,” n.d.)
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8. Job Specifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
• Medicine and Dentistry, diagnosis through heath related treatment
options.
• Written, and verbal English language skills.
• Customer and Personal Service, knowledge of principles and
processes, needs assessments, meeting quality and compliance for
providing professional services.
• Education and Training, Certified Dental Assistant.
• Service Orientation and monitoring.
• Time management.
• Speech, comprehension, and deductive reasoning
• Hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity.
(“Dental”)
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9. Academic Description
“Dental assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the
delivery of quality oral health care and are valuable members of the dental
care team. If you have strong communication skills, enjoy working with
your hands as well as your mind and want a career with responsibility,
dental assisting is for you.”
(“Dental”}
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Suggestions for Data Gathering
Understand the strategic nature of the business more by
interviewing stakeholders, determining business
objectives and cycles of growth that could lead to new
positions which would require new job analysis.
10. References
“Advantages" (n.d.). Retrieved from Human Resources: University of Minnesota:
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/pay/classification/jobanalysis/advantages/
"Dental" (n.d.). Retrieved from American Dental Association:
http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/dental-team-careers/dental-assistant
Job Analysis Methods (n.d.). Retrieved from Management Study Guide:
http://managementstudyguide.com/job-analysis-methods.htm
Pulakos, E. (2013, February 21). Society for Human Resource Managers. Retrieved October 31, 2014, from
Performing Job Analysis:
http://www.shrm.org/templatestools/toolkits/pages/performingjobanalysis.aspx
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Editor's Notes
I chose this position as its pretty common throughout the U.S.
I didn’t feel the need to expand on this as it was to the point.
According to the Effective Practice Guidelines: Selection Assessment Methods SHRM (2013) organization fail for reasons of understanding the scientific positive outcomes of using properly structured assessments for job analysis. Further the evidence has proven that cost savings, increased productivity, and increased retention is a real result of job analysis (Para. 2, p. 1).
Commonly used methods are the interview/questionnaire method which has pros and cons stated. Personal bias may exist and framing of questions should be considered carefully for different grades of employees. Employee are often suspicious of surveys’ and may not answer the questions properly, or not at all. Management should take into consideration to communicate that these are confidential and not used for any other purpose, except for the positive result of aligning employees with company objectives ((Job Analysis Methods, n.d.)
).
In summary, I felt the combination of the two types of questions could extract basic data by a questionnaire, especially if you have multiple locations it could save time and costs. Equally important are expanding the nature of basic questions into more verbal complex ones to gain information and compare it against each incumbent and both methods. These methods from the readings seem to be generally accepted across a broad range of jobs.
I think the challenge is to have the complete support of management in establishing a framework to spend the time for the job analysis process. And while I am gathering information, I keep thinking about outsourcing this activity (of job analysis).
A dental assistants job is a very diverse position. Reporting to one or more dentists, and administratively to an office manager, a dental assistants’ experience runs from patient care, to third-party billing. Technology plays a role in the dental office as well, from computer generated impressions of dental work on digital x-rays to understanding patient customer service and the variety of ways patients may respond to external marketing, the dental assistant is a collaborative “partner” in the office environment. Essential job functions include:
Standing, reaching, and working in proximity to patients reclined in a lowered position.
Moving dental carts about the office.
Using manual dexterity to manipulate x-ray impressions.
Visually examining a computer screen content and using a keyboard.
Helpful to type 35 wpm, but not necessary.
Read, write, and communicate in the English language.
The salary of a dental assistant depends primarily upon the responsibilities associated with the specific position and the geographic location of employment.
Dental assistants earn salaries equal to other health care personnel with similar training and experience such as medical assistants, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, veterinary technicians and pharmacy assistants.
