Registered Dental Assistant

Columbia Basin Health Association; Othello (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Basin Health Association is seeking a Dental Assistant I to support Dentists and Hygienists, ensuring operatory readiness, patient comfort, and accurate charting. The role involves patient care, instrument handling, and maintaining sterilization standards within CBHA clinics.

The position requires high school completion, CPR certification, and basic dental terminology knowledge, with responsibilities spanning clinical and non-clinical tasks.

Qualifications

• Basic written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to assess dental problems quickly and accurately.
• Working knowledge of hygiene/sterilization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Prepare operatory and equipment before seating patients.
• Greet and seat patients using the AIDET model.
• Review electronic dental chart and update health history and vitals.
• Ensure pre-exam documentation is complete (waivers, consents).
• Take vital signs and x-rays as directed by provider.
• Document restorations and procedures per provider instructions.
• Prepare and pass instruments and materials during patient care.
• Administer and monitor nitrous oxide; perform prophylaxis, fluoride, sealants.
• Take and pour alginate impressions; trim models.
• Provide oral hygiene, post-op and referral instructions.
• Break down operatory and disinfect per protocols.
• Maintain recall and scheduling with Patient Service Representatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Electronic Dental Records software

Job description

Overview

Responsible for assisting all Dentists and Hygienists with dental procedures and patient care, ensuring that the dental clinics are operating with appropriate equipment and supplies, and providing dental patient education to patients.

At Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA), we never have to wonder whether the work we do is worthwhile. Each day, we see victories and successes, big and small, in the lives of people who count on us.

Partner with Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA) for a rewarding career. Your dream of promoting health and wellness, working with passionate people, and feeling accomplished doing important work while earning a reasonable paycheck is possible with us. Be a part of a healthcare movement as you grow your career. The organization's size and culture provide opportunities to work closely with leadership, lead initiatives, and see the results of your hard work. You ability to make an impact is limited only by your passion and creativity.

Dental Assistant I salary range: $20.04 p/h -$23.55 p/h DOE with ability to go higher for highly experienced candidates.

Responsibilities

Patient Care:

• Ensures that operatory and equipment are prepared prior to seating patients.
• Greets and seats patients utilizing AIDET model.
• Reviews electronic dental chart ensuring all health history information is updated and vital signs are taken and documented.
• Ensures that pre-exam documentation including waivers and treatment consents have been completed.
• Takes vital signs and x-rays at the direction of provider.
• Charts and documents existing dental restorations and procedures as directed by provider.
• Prepares and passes instruments and materials during patient care.
• Administers and monitors Nitrous Oxide; provides prophylaxis cleanings, fluoride and sealants, as prescribed by the provider.
• Takes and pours alginate impressions and trims models.
• Provides oral hygiene, post-op and/or referral instructions, as needed.
• Breaks down operatory after each patient encounter, disinfects and sets room up per protocols.

Non-patient Care:

• Ultrasonically cleans contaminated instruments and cassettes, sets up cassettes and pouches by procedure and places in autoclave for sterilization.
• Cleans sterilization room and HVE system.
• Performs daily sterilization, organizing and stocking required for up keep and cleaning of HVE system.
• Maintains logs of daily closing duties and ensures check off lists are completed each afternoon and evening.
• Performs maintenance of equipment per established checklist and manufacturer’s recommendations and notifies supervisor of any malfunction or issues.
• Responsible for weekly attest sterilization monitoring.
• Maintains supply inventory at par levels and notifies appropriate personnel of items to be ordered.
• Empties bio-hazard containers and resets new containers when needed.
• Teams with Patient Service Representatives to ensure recall and scheduling of patients is done to maximize daily schedules.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Promotes a positive work culture and upholds clinic policies and procedures, including the WE CARE standards of Behavior.
• Must uphold confidentiality at all times in regards to CBHA activities, reports, financials, patient health information and other proprietary information specific to CBHA.

Qualifications

Professional and Technical Knowledge:

• Possesses a basic level of written and verbal communication, computer and mathematical skill and knowledge typically acquired through completion of a high school program.
• Ability to assess dental problems quickly and accurately.
• Must have working knowledge of hygiene/sterilization techniques.

License and Certification:

• Ability to obtain Registered Dental Assistant License through Washington State.
• Possesses CPR certification or ability to obtain within designated timeframe.
• Possesses AIDS education or ability to obtain within designated timeframe.

Technical Skills:

Ability to use Electronic Dental Records software.