Program Director Dental Assistant

Universal Technical Institute, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. seeks a Program Director for the Dental Assistant program in Houston, TX. The role leads academics, accreditation, and clinical training while mentoring faculty and building community partnerships.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, curriculum innovation, budgeting, and ensuring high student outcomes through engaged instruction and compliant operations.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED plus relevant postsecondary certificate is required.
• Associate degree in dental assisting preferred.
• Minimum three years of practical work in dental assisting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and long-term strategic planning for the Dental Assisting program.
• Promote compliance with accrediting bodies and prepare reports and self-studies.
• Ensure safety and safety compliance in labs and clinics.
• Monitor faculty performance and learning experiences, drive student satisfaction.
• Support curriculum development and alignment with industry standards.
• Maintain externship capacity at 125% of need.
• Manage budgeting and equipment/lab purchases.
• Foster relationships with clinical affiliates and schools.
• Document ongoing professional development and scheduling.

Skills

Curriculum design

Program administration

Evaluation

Instruction

Counseling

Instructing instructors

Mentoring staff

Problem solving

Education

HS Diploma

Associate's degree in dental assisting

Job description

Overview

The Program Director Dental Assistant leads and elevates the program, ensuring strong academics, full accreditation compliance, high-quality theory and clinical training, and successful student outcomes. This role balances operational leadership, curriculum innovation, faculty mentorship, and community partnerships. The Program Director is also required to implement, monitor, and uphold all applicable policies and procedures to ensure effective functioning of the department.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and support long-term strategic planning for the Dental Assisting program
  • Drive compliance with regional or state accrediting bodies, including self-study, reaccreditation processes, annual reports, self studies and responses
  • Promote and enforce safety and compliance standard in labs and clinical environments
  • Inspect and confirm dental equipment is in proper working order and lab is sufficiently stocked with consumables
  • Monitor and validate that faculty are providing active and engaging learning experiences to students within a respectful environment that is conducive to learning, and focused on student satisfaction and positive results
  • Support curriculum development, review student learning outcomes, and align program content with evolving industry standards
  • Ensure externship capacity of 125% of need at all times
• Mentor and advise students, prepare them for the licensing exam, and support their professional growth
• Maintain systematic program evaluation—tracking retention, completion, placement, and exam passage rates
• Participate in budget planning, oversee expenditures, and make recommendations for equipment, lab enhancements, and supplies management
• Maintain and nurture effective relationships with clinical affiliates, advisory boards, local schools, and healthcare organizations.
• Participate in, and document, ongoing faculty and professional development activities (e.g. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for certification or licensure where required by law)
• Review and ensure accurate and timely course, student, and faculty scheduling
• Participate in the local professional community to raise awareness of the institution, enhance student opportunities, and build professional networks
• Actively participate in student, campus, and community activities as required
• Provide instruction in both the Clinical and Didactic aspects of the program
  • Organize and deliver class objectives in a clear, concise manner
  • Evaluate student performance through assignments, exams, and practical assessments
  • Provide constructive feedback and support to students to help them achieve academic and professional success
  • Identify and report on any at-risk students; creates individualized success plans to mitigate attrition
  • Foster relationships with students to help them meet program competency requirements
  • Meet with students and education personnel to discuss instructional programs and related issues
  • Provide and maintain regular, substantive interaction with students in online course components
  • Maintain accurate records of student attendance, grades, and progress
  • Deliver engaging lectures and lab sessions on assigned topics, diagnostic procedures, equipment operation and troubleshooting

• Establish/maintain a high performance team of professional, motivated and engaged staff utilizing effective training, performance management and career-development activities while leading them to achieve established business results and performance metrics
• Recognizes and rewards employee contributions and achievements
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• HS Diploma (or GED) and certificate of completion from an accredited postsecondary institution in relevant subject area (required)
• Associate's degree in dental assisting (preferred)
• The minimum qualification matrix outlines the experience requirements for program directors based on the state where instruction occurs.
• Minimum three (3) years of practical work experience in dental assisting (required)
• Direct and specialized knowledge in the area of instruction (required)

• Proficient in curriculum design, program administration, evaluation, instruction, and counseling
• Proficient in assessing instructors’ competence and effectiveness
• Independently manage complex tasks and projects
• Coach and mentor junior team members
• Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions