Dental Assistant, SBHC, Temporary

Native American Health Center, Inc.; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off / PTO

Job summary

Native American Health Center, Inc. operates School-Based Health Centers in Oakland, CA. The Dental Assistant will support dentists chair-side, manage operatory prep and sterilization, and assist with patient education across multiple SBHC sites.

The role requires a DA Certification, radiological safety license, and current BLS/CPR. Strong customer service and Spanish language skills are a plus for serving diverse youth and families.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• DA Certification and prior experience (preferably 2+ years).
• Must possess a radiological safety license.
• Vaccination/health requirements including TB, flu, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, TDAP & Hepatitis B.
• BLS/CPR certification must be current before start date.
• Computer literacy with Word/Outlook/Excel; experience with Dentrix is preferred.
• Spanish speaking ability may be required per operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide chair-side support to dentists in General and Pediatric clinics.
• Greet members professionally and manage patient flow.
• Explain plaque control and provide oral hygiene instructions.
• Prepare operatory and maintain aseptic conditions; ensure supplies are available.
• Perform sterilization duties and assist with instrument transfer.
• Assist with referrals, prescription calls, and patient education.

Skills

Superior customer service

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

DA Certification

Radiological safety license

BLS/CPR certification

Tools

Dentrix

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: School Based Health Centers - Oakland, CA 94601
Position Type: Full Time Education Level: High School Salary Range: $25.04 - $29.52 Hourly Travel Percentage: Up to 25%
Job Shift: Day Job Category: Health Care
POSITION: Dental Assistant, TEMP-SBHC
DEPARTMENT: School-Based Health Center Department (SBHC)
REPORTS TO: Lead General Dentist- School-Based Health Care
LOCATION: Native American Health Center, Inc. (NAHC) School-Based Health Center Sites in Oakland/San Leandro
WORK HOURS: Full-time, 100% FTE, 40 hours per week
STATUS: Non-Exempt, Non-Union

POSITION SUMMARY

The SBHC Department partners with three school districts to provide comprehensive health services at seven SBHCs. The SBHCs reduce health inequities by focusing on prevention and youth empowerment. The Dental Assistant (DA) is a key member of the Native American Health Centers four-handed dental process, and will increase dentists' efficiency by providing needed support. The primary responsibility of the DA is to assist dentists at chair-side, and to support departmental staff. The DA must be professional, objective, and have superior customer service standards. The DA must wear scrub tops and bottoms and personal protective equipment such as protective eyewear, masks and gloves and follow specific company and OSHA procedures when handling hazardous materials. Long hair must be tied back away from the face and no jewelry may be worn. Employees who provide direct clinical care should refrain from having facial, oral and intra-oral piercings. For safety reasons employees must not have hoop earrings larger than 1” in diameter or that dangle longer than 1”. Cleanliness above all is essential. Such employees must refrain from having artificial nails, painted nails and natural nails longer than ¼ inch beyond the tip of the finger. Punctuality and professional demeanor at all times is required. The Native American Health Center is an accredited institution and adheres to the standards of excellence set forth by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide support to dentists. This includes following all instructions from the assigned dentist at chair-side.
2. Greet all members in a courteous, professional, and timely manner.
3. Ability to work in the General and Pediatric Dental Clinics.
4. Explain plaque control to all members in a manner that ensures their understanding.
5. In collaboration with the dentists, provide oral hygiene instructions to members and parents/caregivers.
6. Apply topical anesthetic as requested by the assigned dentist.
7. Check members; vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, temperature, etc.) as necessary and/or requested by the assigned dentist.
8. Prepare operatory for member reception, according to departmental policy. Ensure operatory is as aseptic as possible for member welfare.
9. Ensure pre-set trays are well maintained, and always ready to be used for procedures.
10. Proactively review chart notes for the planned treatment, in order to set up trays and operatory appropriately.
11. Ensure all materials and instruments needed for providing treatment are ready and available for use.
12. Prepare anesthesia for transfer to the assigned dentist.
13. Retract oral tissues in order to increase visual access into the oral cavity.
14. Remove excess moisture from the mouth by using hi-vac systems and/or air.
15. Properly transfer instruments to dentists while maintaining extremely high attention to detail and adhering to sterilization standards.
16. Prepare and properly deliver any required restorative materials to dentists. Obtain Informed Consent prior to dental treatment, and deliver post-operative instructions with guidance from assigned dentist.
17. Assist clinical staff in optimizing member flow. This will include restocking items, seating members, ‘floating’, and supporting other dental team members with member care.
18. Keep work area well organized, stocked, and clean at all times. This includes supporting on‑site staff with monthly inventory.
19. Keep uninvolved people out of the operatories at all times.
20. Take impressions for diagnostic and opposing study models.
21. Pour impressions with proper stone, package them for transport to dental laboratory, and forward to the receptionist.
22. Operate digital dental radiographic equipment for the purpose of oral radiography.
23. Proactively inform supervisor of any supplies that need to be replenished, so a consistent level of supplies is maintained at all times.
24. Assist the assigned dentist with referrals, prescription phone‑ins, and other processes involved in providing high quality dental care.
25. DA, as deemed necessary and requested by supervisor.
26. Perform Sterilization duties in both the Dental and Pediatric Dental Clinics by performing sterilization and maintenance procedure according to departmental policy.
27. Engage in outreach and dental treatment such as school dental screenings and other school/community events.
28. Provide translation services, as needed and if applicable, for the department.
29. Member Care: Demonstrate understanding and apply working knowledge of safety policies and ensuring safe member practices.
30. Employee Safety: Safely performs all duties; follows required protective protocols to ensure personal safety as well the safety of others.
31. Must maintain compliance with ergonomic safety standards; be mindful of posture and regularly practice ergonomic stretches.
32. Quality Improvement: Actively participate in internal quality improvement teams and work with members proactively to drive quality improvement initiatives in accordance with the mission and strategic goals of the organization, federal and state laws and regulations, and accreditation standards, when assigned.
33. HIPAA: Keep all protected health information (PHI) confidential and abide by HIPAA policies for the release and disclosure of any PHI. Will report unauthorized use of disclosure of PHI immediately, to supervisor or HIPAA security officer.
34. Work well under pressure, meet multiple and often competing deadlines.
35. At all times demonstrate cooperative behavior with supervisors, subordinates, colleagues, clients and the community.
36. Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required.
2. Must have DA Certification and prior experience working as a Dental Assistant is required, preferably with a minimum of 2 years.
3. Must possess a radiological safety license.
4. Vaccination Level 1: Must be able to provide TB, Physical, seasonal flu and proof of Vaccination immunity for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, TDAP & Hepatitis B, prior to start date. If vaccination records are more than 10 years old, titers are required to confirm immunity.
5. BLS/CPR certification must be obtained prior to start date and kept current at all times.
6. Must be computer literate and have experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
7. Experience with Dentrix and other database programs are preferred.
8. Knowledge of the Bay Area Native American community with a commitment to serving Native Americans and other vulnerable member populations is required.
9. Willingness to be trained and have the ability to retain information of the assigned duties and responsibilities.
10. Must have strong organizational skills and technical acumen to carry out above assigned duties. Must have high attention to detail and be able to multi-task.
11. Must have superior customer service skills, and be able to communicate effectively – verbally and in writing - with varying audiences.
12. Must complete yearly OSHA training and possess up-to-date CPR certification.
13. Must work well independently and as a part of a team.
14. Must have transportation ability to transport necessary equipment and supplies to and from SBHC clinics.
15. Spanish speaking per operational need.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, bend at waist, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to both an inside/outside environment.

Benefits:

Native American Health Center (NAHC) considers our employees to be our most valuable resource and offers an excellent benefit package: competitive salaries, personal time off (PTO) or sick/vacation leave program, and an employer contribution 403(b) retirement plan to full‑time regular status employees. We also provide medical, vision, dental, flexible spending, group term and voluntary life insurance coverage for employees and their dependents—with a percentage of employee contribution for dependent medical premiums.

Note to Applicants: Please be advised a post job offer, pre-employment Physical, TB test and Vaccination Clearance are required as a condition of employment. Vaccination Levels: 0 – Limited - require only TB, Physical & Seasonal Flu; 1 – Full Panel with exposure of Blood Borne Pathogens – requires, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, TDAP, Varicella, Hepatitis B, TB, Physical & Season Flu; 2 – Full panel no exposure of Blood Borne Pathogens – requires Measles, Mumps, Rubella, TDAP, Varicella, TB, Physical & Seasonal Flu. Additionally, you may be asked to get a Department of Justice Fingerprinting and/or Federal, State, County criminal background check clearance as a contingency for an offer of employment. Criminal clearances are obtained to protect the welfare and safety of clients receiving services at NAHC.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin or other non-merit factors.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Native American Health Center abides by the mandates of the ADEA (protecting individuals 40 years and older) and considers age a non-merit factor in all employment decisions and considerations.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Native American Health Center abides by the mandates of the ADA and considers disability a non-merit factor in all employment decisions and considerations. Furthermore, NAHC will make any practical, feasible, and reasonable arrangements to accommodate qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.