Dental Assistant

Damien Center; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO: 150 hours initial

12 paid holidays

Medical coverage options

Dental & Vision plans

Health Savings Account

Dependent Care FSA

Employee Assistance Program

403b with 5% match

Life Insurance

Disability

Tuition Assistance

Professional development

Job summary

Damien Center Dental Clinic seeks a Dental Assistant to support high-quality, patient-centered dental care under the Dental Director. You will assist the team, maintain a clean, sterile environment, and manage administrative tasks to enhance patient experience and clinic operations.

The role requires CODA-accredited training, Indiana radiography license, BLS, and strong organizational skills. Bilingual Spanish/English is preferred for serving diverse patients and families.

Qualifications

• CODA-accredited program required.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Indiana Dental Radiographer License required.
• BLS certification required.
• Spanish/English bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare treatment rooms following procedures and protocols.
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment.
• Assist during procedures with instruments and materials; retract and suction as needed.
• Take and develop dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Record treatment information in patient records and educate patients on care.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Microsoft Windows

Time management

Calendaring

Documentation management

HIPAA compliance

Spanish/English bilingual

Education

CODA-accredited Dental Assistant Program

High school diploma or equivalent

Indiana Dental Radiographer License

BLS certification

Spanish/English bilingual preferred

Job description

Dental Assistant

Dental Services

Damien Center Values

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8,000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition.

Position Summary:

The Dental Assistant will support the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered dental care at the Damien Center Dental Clinic. This role will work under the direct supervision of the Dental Director, supporting both clinical and administrative functions to ensure efficient, trauma-informed, and culturally competent dental services. The Dental Assistant will assist the Dental Director and dental team with procedures, maintain a clean and sterile clinical environment, and manage administrative tasks to enhance patient experience and clinic operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

• Prepare treatment rooms by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment.
• Assist during procedures by providing instruments and materials, retracting and suctioning, and passing instruments.
• Take and develop dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Educate patients on oral hygiene and post-operative care instructions.
• Welcome and seat patients in the treatment area.
• Obtain and update patient dental records.
• Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Schedule patient appointments and manage appointment calendar.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and follow HIPAA regulations.
• Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level.
• Anticipate needed supplies and place orders when necessary.
• Maintain equipment and ensure proper functioning by following operating instructions and reporting issues for repair.
• Participate in staff meetings, continuing education programs, and quality improvement initiatives to foster a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dental Director.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduation from an CODA-accredited Dental Assistant Program.
• 3-5 years of work experience, preferably in a Community Health Center/FQHC setting.
• Dental Radiographer License issued by the State of Indiana
• Current BLS certification.
• Bilingual in Spanish/ English preferred

*Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor.

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

FLSA Status: Hourly, Full-time, Non-Exempt

Leader: Dental Director

Salary: $24 annually

Benefits:

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP.
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption.

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.