Dental Assistant - Columbia

Nigel Wright Consultancy Ltd (UK); Washington; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Public Health in Seattle, WA seeks a Dental Assistant to support Columbia Public Health Center. The role involves chairside assistance, radiographs, patient education, and maintaining clinical operations in a trauma-informed, diverse community clinic.

The ideal candidate will hold WA Dental Assistant registration, complete recognized training, and have experience in public health or community dental settings.

Qualifications

• Current registration as a Dental Assistant in the State of Washington.
• Completion of a recognized in person Dental Assistant course program or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of dental radiograph techniques and principles.
• Experience working in a public health or community clinic setting
• Demonstrated ability to manage your own and patient schedules

Responsibilities

• Take and review patient medical and dental history and present relevant info to the Dentist.
• Act as a chairside assistant for restorative, oral surgery, endodontic, hygiene and other procedures; take radiographs.
• Assist dentist with emergency procedures.
• Provide child prophylaxis.
• Apply dental sealants and topical preventative agents.
• Maintain patient flow and document medical records accurately.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Patient interaction

Education

Washington Dental Assistant registration

Recognized in-person Dental Assistant program

Tools

EPIC software

Job description

Position Summary

Public Health – Seattle & King County is seeking a Dental Assistant to join our vibrant & diverse team at our Columbia Public Health Dental Clinic. This role is an opportunity to gain experience in dental procedures and patient interaction in a dynamic environment; the dental assistant role combines clinical skills with interpersonal communication. This role is also a great opportunity to make a positive impact on community oral health, serve diverse populations and contribute to preventive care. King County Dental Clinics provide emergency and comprehensive dental services to an ethnically and racially diverse population of low-income children and adults, including pregnant women and homeless adults and teens.

Background

We are a trauma informed dental clinic that provides patient centered, comprehensive, and compassionate care to the most vulnerable population in our community. Our diverse and multilingual staff reflect the ethnically and racially diverse population of the clients that we serve.

Note: This recruitment will be used to create an eligibility pool to fill additional Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancies that may occur over the next six months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. FLSA Non-Exempt and overtime eligible.

Work Location

Work will be performed onsite at Columbia Public Health Center located at 4400 37th Ave. So, Seattle, WA 98118, but may be asked to work at other dental clinics as needed:

• Renton Public Health Dental: 3201 NE 7th ST, Renton, WA 98056
• Eastgate Public Health Dental: 14350 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98007
• Downtown Public Health Dental: 2124 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
• North Public Health Dental: 12359 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Duties

• Take and review patient medical and dental history and present relevant info to the Dentist.
• Act as a chairside assistant for restorative, oral surgery, endodontic, hygiene and other procedures as needed. Take diagnostic quality intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs.
• Assist dentist with emergency procedures.
• Provide child prophys.
• Apply dental sealants in clinical and community settings.
• Apply topical preventative agents.
• Perform other duties as allowed by the Washington State Dental Practice Act 18.32.
• Educate patients in oral hygiene and anticipatory guidance health behaviors.
• Maintain patient flow.
• Accurately document medical record information under the direction of the dentist.
• Maintain operatories and dental spaces in good working order and insure compliance with OSHA/WISHA requirements.
• Clean and sterilize dental instruments in accordance with State and Federal requirements.
• Perform routine dental equipment maintenance (clinical and portable) and process repairs.
• Maintain dental supply inventory and ordering.
• Make patient reminder calls and follow up on missed appointments as needed.
• Schedule appointments, greet and reassure clients.
• Complete client registrations, billing, and conduct follow-up with patients as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Our ideal candidate (Minimum Qualifications)

• Current registration as a Dental Assistant in the State of Washington.
• Completion of a recognized in person Dental Assistant course program or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of methods and techniques used in dental assisting.
• Working knowledge of terminology, materials, equipment, and instruments used in dentistry.
• Working knowledge of dental radiograph techniques and principles.
• Experience working in a public health or community clinic setting
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage your own and patient schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain patient records in accordance with practice guidelines and applicable regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage behavioral issues in a dental clinic setting.
• Demonstrated ability to address conflict in a direct and professional manner.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds as well as the ability to work with clients for whom English is a second language.
• Experience working with both in-person and telephonic or video interpreters in a clinical setting.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired)

• Working knowledge of and experience providing trauma-informed care
• Experience with using EPIC software systems.
• Applicants bilingual in English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference?

Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Who May Apply

Career Service positions are open to all qualified applicants.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

(Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

represented by OPEIU Local 8