Lead Registered Dental Assistant

Harbor Community Health Centers; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HarborCHC in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Lead Registered Dentist Assistant to provide clinical leadership in the dental back office, support workflow, ensure regulatory compliance, and assist with onboarding and mentoring.

The role supports dentists before, during, and after procedures, maintains inventory and equipment, coordinates lab work, and upholds OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control standards to deliver high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Completion of DA course and current DA Certificate.
• Current and active RDA license from the Dental Board of California.
• Board-approved courses in radiation safety and infection control.
• CPR card and fingerprint clearances.
• Knowledge of dental and office equipment and terminology.

Responsibilities

• Support daily Back Office operations to ensure efficient patient care.
• Coordinate back-office clinical activities and assist with task protocols.
• Monitor inventory and ensure supplies are available for patient care.
• Coordinate and track dental lab cases for timely delivery.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring for staff.
• Maintain OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control compliance and policies.
• Communicate daily clinical needs to the Dental Manager.
• Perform chairside duties while serving as clinical lead for the back office.

Skills

Dental back-office operations

Clinical leadership

English communication

Education

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license - California

DA certificate

Board-approved radiation safety courses

Infection control CPR certification

Fingerprint clearance (DOJ & FBI)

Tools

Dental practice management systems

Sterilization equipment familiarity

Job description

The Lead Registered Dentist Assistantis a working clinical lead responsible for supporting daily dental back-office operations. This position works closely with the Dental Manager to coordinate clinical workflow, maintain compliance with regulatory standards, support consistent dental assisting practices, and promote high-quality patient care. The Lead Registered Dentist Assistant serves as a clinical resource for dental assistants and providers by assisting with onboarding, training, mentoring, and back-office coordination. This position also provides direct and indirect support to the dentist before, during, and after dental care services and does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

EXPECTATIONS

• Adheres to all Harbor Community Health Center (HarborCHC) policies and procedures.
• Observes all policies and procedures for the use of the time-keeping system, including attendance, tardiness, proper clocking procedure, overtime authorization, and that the employee nametag is visible.
• Conducts self in a manner that always represents HarborCHC’s core values.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with all work-related contacts.
• Communicate regularly with their immediate supervisor about departmental and HarborCHC concerns.
• Consistent reports to work prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload necessitates.
• Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among all staff.

MISSION AND VALUES

Our mission is to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare and supportive services to those in our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Employees must possess a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals, and philosophy of HarborCHC.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Support the daily operations and workflow of the dental back office to ensure efficient patient care.
• Coordinate daily back-office clinical activities, serve as a resource for dental assistants and providers, and help ensure assigned clinical tasks are completed consistently with established protocols.
• Monitor inventory and ensure adequate instruments, materials, supplies, and equipment are available for patient care.
• Coordinate and track dental laboratory cases to ensure timely receipt and delivery.
• Assist with onboarding, training, mentoring, and ongoing reinforcement for dental assistants to support adherence to clinical protocols, infection control standards, and organizational expectations.
• Promote and monitor compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, CDC infection control guidelines, state dental regulations, and organizational policies.
• Communicate daily clinical needs, workflow concerns, equipment issues, and supply needs to the Dental Manager.
• Assist with maintaining sterilization processes, operatory readiness, and back-office organization.
• Identify, report, and follow up on dental equipment maintenance needs to support safe and timely patient care.
• Perform chairside dental assisting duties as assigned while serving as the clinical lead for the back office
• Prepare patients, operatories, instruments, and materials for dental procedures; assist providers chairside as permitted by license or certification; document care-related information accurately in the dental record; and support patient education within the scope of the role.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required education, experience, and/or training:

• Successfully complete board-approved courses in radiation safety.
• Completion of DA course and current DA Certificate (DA only)
• Current and active RDA license from the Dental Board of California. (RDA only)
• Successfully complete and show proof of a Board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act, an eight (8) hour Board-approved course in infection control and proof of basic life support (CPR) card.
• Submit fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Requires knowledge of dental and office equipment, dental terminology, and basic medical terminology.
• Minimum of two years of experience as a dental assistant preferred.
• Experience supporting or leading dental back-office operations preferred.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use dental practice management systems, electronic dental records, and standard office software to support scheduling, documentation, inventory, and communication needs.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Treat all patients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

HR PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Clear all post offers, pre-employment background screening, and education verification.
• Must comply with HarborCHC vaccination, infection prevention, and workplace safety requirements, including COVID-19 requirements or approved exemptions, as applicable under current policy and law.
• This is not intended to cover all aspects of your description, as additional duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust.

Hours

HarborCHC is open Monday–Thursday 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Friday 8:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. This position may require occasional overtime or other shifts based on clinic need. This is a non-exempt position, and any overtime must be approved by the supervisor in advance.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

HarborCHC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race; religion; color; sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions); sexual orientation; national origin; ancestry; physical or mental disability; medical condition; genetic information/characteristics; marital status/registered domestic partner status; age; sexual orientation; reproductive health decision-making; military or veteran status; use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace; and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. This policy applies whether the individual has or is perceived to have any of the characteristics protected by law or is associated with a person who has or is perceived to have any of the characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements define this position as it currently exists and are intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job. They are not to be considered an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements and do not limit the assignment of additional duties at the discretion of the supervisor. HarborCHC is an at-will employer.

In addition, HarborCHC may change your duties, compensation, or hours, or transfer, reassign, promote, demote, suspend, or otherwise change the terms and conditions of your employment, other than the at-will relationship, with or without cause or prior notice.