Dental Assistant II

Texas.gov - State of Texas Official Website; Brenham (TX); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a state-supported living center where your role as a Dental Assistant II will have a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of residents. This position offers a unique opportunity to provide essential dental care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will be responsible for assisting dental professionals, maintaining infection control, and managing patient records. With a focus on quality care and patient support, this role is perfect for those looking to establish a fulfilling career in healthcare. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that values your contributions.

Benefits

100% Paid Employee Health Insurance

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Generous Time Off Benefits

Career Advancement Opportunities

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Dental Assistant with knowledge of dental procedures.
• Ability to assist dental staff and maintain patient records effectively.

Responsibilities

• Assist dental staff with patient care and maintain infection control standards.
• Perform data entry for appointments and manage dental supply inventories.

Skills

Dental Instruments Knowledge

Infection Control Standards

Communication Skills

Clerical Skills

Data Entry Skills

Patient Care Skills

Education

High School Graduate

Certified Dental Assistant

Tools

Office Management Software

Dental Database

Job description

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Dental Assistant II

Job Title: Dental Assistant II

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Dental Clinical Services

Posting Number: 4289

Closing Date: 05/24/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Salary Group: TEXAS-A-14

Salary Range: $3,095.33-$4,594.50

Shift: Day

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location: Brenham State Supported Living Center

Job Location City: BRENHAM

Job Location Address: 4001 S HWY 36

MOS Codes: 4Y0X1,4Y0X2,68E,68Z,HM,HN,HS

Brief Job Description:

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Dental Assistant II will perform Highly Complex/Senior level tasks. These tasks will be Dental Assistant tasks as well as Data Entry into the Dental Database. The Dental Assistant II will complete tasks under limited supervision. The Dental Assistant II is allowed considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The dental assistant is a key team member responsible for providing direct healthcare that supports the requirement to provide dental care to all residents of the facility. Duties involve assisting the dental staff while in direct patient care, exposing and developing x-rays, maintaining infection control standards for the clinic, monitoring and maintaining essential supply levels, mixing and preparing dental materials for restorative procedures, completing minor dental laboratory procedures, maintaining dental treatment records, managing the schedule for the dentist and dental hygienist, providing oral self-care counseling to patients and staff in clinic and in-home, and collecting data to support quality enhancement. The dental assistant must be registered with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners as a “Registered Dental Assistant,” and must pass tests on jurisprudence, radiology, and infection control. With additional training, the Dental Assistant may provide preventive care including coronal polishing of teeth and pit and fissure sealants. The Dental Assistant must be familiar enough with office management computer programs to use word documents, spreadsheets, and databases to maintain the dental records and data collection systems the dental department must use for daily patient care, as well as quality enhancement program initiatives and regulatory requirements. Provide treatment of HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

1. Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
2. Daily assisting Dental Director, Clinical Dentist as well as Dental Hygienists at the Dental chair side with dental instruments and materials for residents at the Brenham State Supported Living Center (BSSLC) in preparation for examining and treating residents.
3. Exposure and development of radiographs as ordered by the Dental Director or Clinical Dentist.
4. Maintains updated infection control standards in the Dental Clinic at the EPSSLC.
5. Arranges Dental Instruments for Treatment of residents according to procedure type.
6. Instructs Staff and Individuals at EPSSLC on proper daily oral hygiene.
7. Maintains Dental Supply Inventories for the Dental Clinic.
8. Schedule Dental Appointments for the residents.
9. Enters Data for each appointment.
10. Assists with Desensitization for the residents as required by Dental Director.
11. Assists Individual into Dental Clinic and Dental Chair as needed.
12. Performs other duties as assigned by Dental Director, Clinical Dentist as well as Hygienists.
13. Provide treatment of HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.
14. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of dental instruments, equipment, and materials and their uses; of sterilization methods; of x-ray film exposure and processing techniques; of dental terminology; and of oral hygiene instruction for patients and caregivers.
2. Skill in the use of dental instruments and equipment.
3. Ability to assist staff in performing dental procedures; to communicate effectively; and to train others.
4. Ability to provide clerical skills necessary for patient management.
5. Ability to use computers and office management software.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be a “Registered Dental Assistant” as defined by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners; Registered Dental Assistants must take and pass one of the Dental Board-approved courses for Dental Assistants that covers Jurisprudence, Infection Control and Radiology and must register with the Dental Board. Preferred: Certified Dental Assistants as defined by the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) who are Career School Graduates or meet this standard by qualified experience.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Must be a high school graduate or equivalent; successful higher education preferred.

Preferred: Certified Dental Assistants as defined by the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) who are Career School Graduates or meet this standard by qualified experience.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form.