Part-time Faculty Pool: Dental Assisting

Merced College; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 90,370 - 116,806; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave accrual

Job summary

Merced College in California is hiring a part-time faculty member to instruct in their Dental Assisting program. The instructor will be responsible for designing course outlines, developing training programs, and maintaining student records. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree with experience and hold an active California dental license.

This role also includes assessing industry trends and providing effective instruction. The position offers an hourly rate of $65.60 to $84.79.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree plus at least two years of professional experience.
• Active California dental license or equivalent with no disciplinary actions.
• Current BLS certification including CPR.
• Experience teaching dental assisting procedures.

Responsibilities

• Design course outlines for dental assisting courses.
• Assess industry needs to develop training programs.
• Maintain required academic records.
• Provide effective instruction to students.

Skills

Infection control competence

Teaching clinical skills

Dental radiographic technique

BLS certification

Education

Bachelor's degree or Associate's degree with experience

Job description

Position Overview

Part‑time instructional assignment in Dental Assisting under the direction of the Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety. The successful candidate will lead the development of a Dental Assisting Certificate program and assist in accreditation through CODA. Maximum teaching load is 10 units per semester, including evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities

• Design course outlines for didactic, clinical, and laboratory courses.
• Create and maintain classroom materials that support course goals.
• Assess industry needs and trends to develop targeted courses and training programs.
• Provide innovative and effective instruction in accordance with current pedagogy and established course outlines.
• Inform students about course requirements, evaluation procedures, and attendance policies; maintain regular contact with students.
• Maintain and submit required student attendance and scholastic records on the Learning Management System (e.g., grades and syllabi).
• Use the Learning Management System to deliver, prepare, and grade class assignments and examinations.
• Maintain instructional design skills and apply effective teaching methods.
• Post and maintain regular office hours in accordance with policy.
• Participate in the development and review of curriculum and teaching–learning materials.
• Participate in departmental, area, and campus professional activities and committees.
• Represent the college within the Merced community and professional circles.
• Participate in the college's learning outcomes assessment program, including course, program, and institutional assessments to improve student learning outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and at least two years of professional experience, or Associate's degree and six years of professional experience (or equivalent).
• Active, current dental or dental hygiene license issued by the Dental Hygiene Board or Dental Board of California with no disciplinary actions.
• Training and competence in infection control consistent with California regulations; ability to teach and evaluate required infection control competencies.
• Current active California license as one of the following: Dentist (DDS/DMD), Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with Board‑approved Coronal Polishing and Pit & Fissure Sealant certifications, or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH, RDHEF, RDHAP).
• Minimum of two years of licensure in the applicable dental profession.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, including CPR.
• Successful completion of the California Radiation Safety Examination or a Board‑approved Radiation Safety course, unless already satisfied through licensure.
• Completion of a Board‑approved two‑hour methodology course covering clinical evaluation criteria, course outline development, process evaluation, and product evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience performing, teaching, and evaluating dental radiographic technique and image quality, and operation, maintenance, and quality assurance of dental radiographic equipment.
• Experience teaching clinical dental assisting procedures and laboratory skills.
• Legal authorization under California law to perform all procedures assigned for instruction; may only teach procedures permitted by license.
• Ability to supervise in accordance with Dental Board instructor‑to‑student ratios: Radiation Safety 6:1 maximum, Pit & Fissure Sealant 14:1 lab and 6:1 clinical.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience teaching in a CODA‑ or Board‑approved Dental Assisting Program.
• Experience as Course Director for Radiation Safety and/or Pit & Fissure Sealant courses.
• Experience preparing or maintaining Board approval applications and documentation.
• Knowledge of California Dental Practice Act, Dental Board regulations, and program compliance requirements.
• Experience supervising extramural clinical rotations and evaluating student competency.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and community dental partners.

Benefits

Sick leave: part‑time, hourly faculty earn sick leave credit at one hour for every twenty hours of paid service.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information

Salary: $65.60 – $84.79 hourly
Job type: Adjunct Faculty
Location: Merced College, CA
Closing: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific