Dental Assistant

Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Inc.; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual differential pay

Hiring/Retention bonus structure

Job summary

Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Inc. is seeking a Dental Assistant in Spokane, WA. This role supports dental providers, maintains records, and promotes infection control while delivering compassionate care.

You will perform X-ray procedures, perio charting, instrument setup, and patient education. The position offers bilingual differential and a stepwise retention bonus. EPIC EMR experience is preferred, and the team focuses on accessible community health.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred; ALTA score is favorable.
• Basic dental terminology and anatomy knowledge expected.
• Experience with EPIC EMR and standard office software is preferred.
• Ability to work four-handed with the dentist and maintain infection control.

Responsibilities

• Maintain patient records, update medical history and vital signs.
• Conduct panoramic and cephalometric X-rays and store in EDR.
• Set up and record periodontal charting per provider instructions.
• Prepare instruments and assist during patient exams.
• Mix materials with infection-control awareness.
• Provide preventative periodontal care: polish, fluoride, sealants.
• Start and monitor nitrous oxide under supervision.
• Educate patients on oral hygiene and clinic programs.
• Support infection-control program, sterilization, and autoclaves.
• Assist in orthodontics tasks when needed and ensure compliance.
• Perform duties aligned with TJC and HRSA requirements.
• Work with blood exposure risk and handle other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Patient interaction

Infection control

X-ray procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

EPIC EMR

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Job description

Join our team as a Dental Assistant at Unify Community Health, Northeast in Spokane, WA!

Dental Assistants play a vital role at YVFWC by supporting dental providers and helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and cared for throughout their visit. Through direct patient interaction, clinical support, and attention to safety and infection control, this position helps ensure high standards of care while advancing YVFWC’s mission to provide accessible, quality dental services to the communities we serve.

Be part of a healthcare organization that believes in making a difference beyond medical care! We've transformed into a leading community health center in the Pacific Northwest with 40+ clinics across Washington and Oregon. We offer a wide range of services such as medical, dental, pharmacy, orthodontia, nutritional counseling, autism screening, and behavioral health. Our holistic model also extends assistance to shelter, energy, weatherization, HIV and AIDS counseling, home visits, and mobile medical/dental clinics.

We invite you to explore our short clips, "WE are Yakima - WE are Family" and "YVFWC - And then we grew", for a glimpse into our dedication to our communities, health, and families!

Visit our website at www.yvfwc.com to learn more about our organization!

Position Highlights:

• 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

• EMR system is EPIC

• $22.52-$33.15/hour DOE

• Additional pay for your bilingual skills paid on hours worked

• $5,000.00 Hiring/Retention Bonus Structure:

  • At Hire: $1,500.00

  • At 180 days (6 months): $2,000.00

  • At 12 months: $1,500.00

  • Bonus will be pro-rated based on Full Time Equivalency (FTE)

What You’ll Do:

• Maintain patient medical records, updating medical history and vital signs as needed

• Conduct complete patient X-ray procedures, including panoramic and cephalometric radiographs, and intraoral photographs. Develop and store the X-rays in the electronic dental record

• Set up and record periodontal charting per the Provider’s instruction

• Prepare and set up the instruments and equipment necessary for the patient exam performed by the Provider

• Mix materials needed for the exam with awareness of infection control and cross-contamination

• Perform preventative periodontal care on patients, including coronal polish, fluoride treatments, and sealants

• Starts and monitors nitrous oxide analgesia as necessary under the direct supervision of the Provider

• Provide education and counsel in oral hygiene for patients in the clinic and Mobile Unit school‑based programs

• Assist in implementing and monitoring the patient infection control program for the clinic, including ensuring the integrity of sterile packaging, sterilizing instruments/equipment, and cleaning autoclaves and operatories

• May assist in Orthodontics including; obtaining patient records, bite registrations, patient models, fabricating orthodontic retainers, and placing/removing ligature ties

• Performs clinical responsibilities in alignment with The Joint Commission (TJC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and YVFWC requirements

• Must be able to function under working conditions involving blood

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire

• Registration as a Surgical Technologist if assisting a Dentist in the operating room

• Registered Dental Assistant or EFDA certification

• This position is eligible for Bilingual Differential Compensation when an ALTA score of 10 is achieved

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred at a level 10

• Basic knowledge of medical/dental terminology and dental anatomy

• Basic knowledge of dental materials and instruments

• Basic knowledge of infection control techniques

• Basic knowledge of oral health care instruction

• Ability to perform four-handed dental assisting including instrument transfer, oral evacuation, cement mixing, and spatulation

• Strong level of manual dexterity and coordination

• Ability to effectively interact with a variety of patients of all ages, and employees in a professional manner

• Basic proficiency with a variety of computer programs including an Electronic Dental Record (EDR), Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel

Our Mission Statement

“Together we transform our communities through compassionate, individualized care, eliminating barriers to health and well-being.”

Our mission celebrates inclusivity. We are committed to equal-opportunity employment.