Dental Assistant Trainee

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC); Sitka (AK); On-site; USD 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Health insurance

Dental and vision benefits

Life insurance

Long and short-term disability

Job summary

SEARHC seeks a Dental Assistant to support dentists in providing direct patient care across age groups while managing day-to-day dental clinic operations. The role emphasizes patient comfort, instrument prep, charting, and basic lab tasks within a collaborative healthcare setting in Southeast Alaska.

The position highlights teamwork, attention to detail, and strong communication to maintain efficient patient flow and high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
• BLS certification within 90 days of hire.
• Dental Assistant Trainee Clinical Competency within 3 months of hire and every 3 years.
• Sterile Processing Competency Assessment within 6 months of hire and every year.
• High Risk Competency within 3 months of hire and every year.

Responsibilities

• Greets, seats and prepares patient in appropriate treatment operatory.
• Prepares operatory in advance of appointment including instruments, radiographs, hand pieces, charts and supplies.
• Assists at chair-side using 4-handed techniques including tissue retraction, and high-speed evacuation.
• Relays post-treatment instructions to patients.
• Records examination results and completes progress notes as appropriate.
• Performs basic laboratory procedures including custom trays and occlusal guard fabrication.
• Maintains operatories, lab, sterilization and setup areas.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Hand-eye coordination

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS certification

Dental Assistant Trainee Competency within 3 months

Sterile Processing Competency within 6 months

High Risk Competency within 3 months

Job description

Pay Range:$25.00 - $31.88 Develop the skills necessary to facilitate delivery of dental services by assisting the dentists with direct patient care (infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric) and 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.

Key Essential Functions And Accountabilities Of The Job

• Greets, seats and prepares patient in appropriate treatment operatory
• Prepares operatory in advance of appointment including instruments, radiographs, hand pieces, charts and supplies
• Assists at chair-side using 4-handed techniques including tissue retraction, operatory air/water syringe and high-speed evacuation, passing instruments, preparing dental materials, maintaining dry field, etc.
• Verbally relays post treatment instruction to patients
• Records examination results using proper charting protocol; completes progress notes when appropriate
• Responsible for basic laboratory procedures including custom acrylic trays fabrication, occlusal guard fabrication, pouring and trimming of diagnostic casts
• Cleans, prepares, and maintains operatories, lab, central sterilization and tray set up area
• Prepares and maintains trays, tubs, instrument packs, mobile carts and supplies in an organized and uniform manner
• Performs routine basic maintenance of dental equipment hand pieces, autoclave, automatic x-ray developer, high-speed evacuation etc.
• Takes impressions and bite registrations
• Places and removes orthodontic ligatures, bands, separators and appliances as directed by treating dentist

Other Functions

• Accompanies dentist on village field trips throughout the year
• Participates in Community Prevention activities i.e. school screening, Headstart, Oral Health Programs, Health Fairs etc.
• In the absence of the receptionist, answers the telephone, directs calls, takes messages, manages appointment book, and maintains patient flow
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Details

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• High school diploma or equivalent - required.
• BLS certification within 90 days of hire - required.
• Dental Assistant Trainee Clinical Competency within 3 months of hire and every 3 years - required.
• Sterile Processing Competency Assessment within 6 months of hire and every year - required.
• High Risk Competency required within 3 months of hire and every year

Experience Required

• None

Knowledge of

• Dentistry
• Chair Side Dental assisting

Skills In

• Strong oral & written communication skills
• Advanced levels of hand & eye coordination skills
• Working level of organizational skills

Ability to

• Communicate with patients and staff
• Follow written and verbal instructions
• Treat patients and staff with respect

Position Information

Work Shift:OT 10/40

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!