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SEARHC is seeking a Lead Dental Assistant to oversee the dental clinic team, ensuring smooth daily operations and compliance with safety standards.
This role includes supervising Dental Assistants, coordinating infection control and workflow improvements, recruiting and training new staff, and managing certifications, inventory, and equipment. The position requires leadership skills and strong administrative abilities to support excellent patient care.
Hires, trains, supervises, and maintains certification records for dental assistants. Initiates ongoing performance improvement activities and develops processes for workflow efficiencies for dental assistants. Is responsible for the daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities and duties of the dental assistants, provides staff training, and completes annual performance evaluations. Works in full capacity as a dental assistant during the day-to-day operation of the dental clinic.
SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.
Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.
Performs all duties as outlined in the Lead DA and Dental Assistant III job descriptions.
Supervises the day-to-day activities and assignments of dental assistants in the SEARHC Dental Clinic.
Directs the assistants in weekly and monthly infection control, clinic maintenance, and quality improvement activities.
Is responsible for new dental assistant employee recruitment, onboarding, and training.
Develops and implements workflow processes to ensure DA efficiencies.
Develops and ensures the completion of DA monthly job duties and assigns them to individual employees, including village travel coverage.
Completes annual performance evaluations of all dental assistants under their direct supervision in collaboration with dentist(s).
Completes annual DA competencies for all dental assistants under their direct supervision.
Leads Dental Assistant meetings and huddles.
Establishes systems to record and manage DA certifications, DA attendance and disciplinary actions, equipment inventory, and supply inventory and ordering.
Checks DA stocking of operatories and carts. Oversees inventory of all stocked items and ordering all clinic supplies and materials.
Oversees daily logs of Medical Emergency Equipment and inventory of key equipment.
Approves employee time sheets while maintaining leave request, sick leave logs, and unscheduled leave logs.
Identifies areas of needed staff development, facilitates or provides training and coordinates in participation in appropriate training opportunities.
Other duties as assigned
Direct supervisor to Dental Assistants and Sterilization Technicians in their clinic.
Supervises 5 or more Dental Assistants
High school diploma or equivalent.
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification in Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) preferred.
Current IHS radiology certificate within 90 days of hire.
BLS required within 90 days of hire.
Clinical Competency required within 90 days of hire and every 3 years following.
High Risk Competency required within 90 days of hire and every year following.
Dental materials
Dental procedures and instruments
Strong oral and written communication skills
Advanced levels of hand-eye coordination skills
Strong leadership and administrative skills
Work with multiple staff members in a constructive team environment.
Provide training to less experienced staff in a mentoring supportive manner.
Set the standards and expectations for less experienced staff in a professional manner.
Effectively monitor inventory and order supplies in a timely fashion.
Proficiency in Dental Practice Management Software
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Management
Adheres to all infection control, sterilization, and safety protocols
Ensures staff compliance with OHSA, HIPAA, and clinic safety standards
Identifies and reports potential safety hazards or incidents promptly
Maintains a clean, organized, and hazard-free clinic environment
Participates in safety trainings and emergency preparedness drills
Promotes a culture of safety and accountability within the dental team
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods
Frequent bending, stooping, and reaching
Manual dexterity for handling instruments and equipment
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds
Visual and auditory acuity to perform patient care and administrative duties
Clinical setting with exposure to dental equipment, instruments, and materials
Fast-paced, patient-centered environment requiring multitasking and adaptability
Collaborative team atmosphere with direct patient interaction
Compliance with safety, sterilization, and infection control protocols required
Work Shift:OT 8/40
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you’ll enjoy your career with us!