Dental Assistant Trainee (Health Assistant 2) - Limited Duration

Multnomah County; Wilsonville (OR); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Multnomah County is seeking a Health Assistant 2 to join the Integrated Clinical Services Dental Program. This role provides a pathway for training as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, with a commitment to participate in a comprehensive 12-month training program. Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to learn and support underserved populations.

Qualifications

• Any combination of experience and training is qualifying.
• 1-4 years of experience in client-facing roles preferred.
• Commitment to participate and complete the EFDA program.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical assistance to dentists and hygienists.
• Set up and disinfect operatories, ensuring compliance with infection control.
• Interact courteously with patients and manage wait times.

Skills

Oral hygiene instructions

Customer service

Education

High School completion or GED certificate

Job description

Current employees : Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range :

23.23 - $28.47 Hourly

Department : Health Department

Job Type : Regular Represented

Exemption Status :

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified) :

The Opportunity : THIS WORK MATTERS!

Integrated Clinical Services (ICS) provides quality health services for people who experience barriers to accessing care. The vision of Integrated Clinical Services is to provide services that are integrated and connected to support optional health, reducing wait times and optimizing access. The Dental Program works with many community partners, targeting underserved populations in Multnomah County to ensure access to dental services including providing education, prevention and dental treatment.

The Health Assistant 2 is for selected candidates going through the ICS Dental EFDA Training Program. This is a pathway for selected employees to become Expanded Functions Dental Assistants (EFDA) in ICS at Multnomah County Health Department. The ICS Dental EFDA Training Program will require hands-on skills intensive sessions, required on-line coursework on County paid time, and complete clinical practice hours on County paid time. ICS EFDA Training Program is a comprehensive 12- month training initiative through ICS Dental. Upon completion of the program and passing of certification exams, employees will be EFDAs and commit to working for ICS Dental for 2 years .

• The tentative start date for this program is July 1st, 2025.
• Trainees may be assigned to any one of the 7 dental clinics listed below :
• East County Dental Clinic (600 NE 8th St, Gresham, OR 97030)
• Mid County Dental Clinic (12710 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97236)
• North Portland Dental Clinic (900 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203)
• Northeast Dental Clinic (5329 NE MLK Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211)
• Rockwood Dental Clinic (2020 SE 182nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233)
• Southeast Dental Clinic (3623 SE 34th Ave, Portland, OR 97202)

As a Health Assistant 2, you will :

Clinical Functions and Provider Support

• Learn, practice, and build expertise in providing direct clinical assistance and support to Dentists and Dental Hygienists while the support of the clinical team.
• Under the guidance of a certified employee, learns to perform all aspects of 4 handed dentistry using effective and efficient techniques; mixes materials; places rubber dams, takes study models impressions, and takes diagnostic x-rays.
• Triages emergency patients, makes providers aware of clients needs.
• Provides patients with oral hygiene instructions and provides information on healthy food choices.

Academic Commitment

• Demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence by consistently attending classes promptly, actively engaging in classroom discussions and activities, meeting assignment deadlines, and maintaining a disciplined study routine in preparation for exams.

Resource Management / Infection Control

• Sets up and disinfects operatories following the proper procedures ensuring all instruments and supplies are available for patient care.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments according to established infection control guidelines.
• Reports necessary repair needs, observes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines and monitors supply (inventory) levels.

Customer Service

• Interacts with patients in a respectful and courteous manner.
• Proactively monitors client wait times and ensures patients are kept informed of schedule delays.
• Conducts phone follow-up and documentation for missed patient appointments. Acts as liaison with treatment staff and providers.

Diversity and Inclusion : At Multnomah County, we don't just accept differences; we value and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee, you will create a work culture of respect, trust, and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

TO QUALIFY :

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item in a section is labeled required for details about how we typically screen applications and review our overview of the selection process.

Minimum Qualifications / Transferable Skills

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be as noted below. All non-traditional education, training, and experience will be evaluated.

1. High School completion or GED certificate (college or university degree can substitute)

2. One (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. ( Equivalency 1-4 years of qualifying training and / or client facing experience).

3. Internal candidates (that is a current MCHD employee with regular status, temporary, on-call, or limited duration employee) - to apply should be in good standing and have passed probationary period. If you apply, please keep your manager / supervisor informed.

4. External candidates who apply will be selected through a competitive recruitment process for the Limited Duration - Dental Assistant (Health Assistant 2) positions.

5. No previous dental assisting history / formal training is allowed.

6. Submission of a cover letter detailing interest, skills, and strengths as they apply to the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Program. In addition, the employee will describe in the cover letter their understanding of how the program works, including the program requirements and expectations.

7. Commitment to actively participate and successfully complete the program , with a two-year commitment to work as an EFDA within ICS Dental post-enrollment.

The Application Packet : You MUST submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

REQUIRED : ( All 1 through 4 should be sent with the application )

2. Copy of High School completion or GED certificate (college or university degree can substitute).

3. Copy of BLS CPR Certification (if you have one, or should obtain one within 60 days of hire ).

4. A Cover Letter addressing : (We strongly advise applicant to spend a good amount of time writing your cover letter addressing all as mentioned below)

• Essay explaining your interest, your skills, and strengths as they apply to the dental assistant program.
• In addition, provide your understanding of how the program works, including the requirements and expectations.
• Transferable skills : Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military), or life experiences relevant to this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION :

The Selection Process : For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows :

• Initial review of application / resume and cover letter for minimum qualifications and all required attachments. If you do not address the minimum qualifications in the application, your application will be considered incomplete and will not move forward in the recruitment process.
• Phone screen
• Oral exam
• Consideration of top candidates
• Background, reference, and education checks

Note : Please be mindful of checking your email inbox for messages from the Recruiter, as you may be emailed requesting additional information. If a response is not received in a timely manner, your application may not be considered.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :

Type of Position : This position is eligible for overtime.

Type : Represented

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Diversity and Inclusion : At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans' Preference : Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act : We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer : This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.