Dental Assistant Trainee: Hands-On Growth in Dental Care

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

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.