Dental Assistant

Public Health Dental Assistant

Public Health Dental serves a diverse population of clients, both children and adults, from a wide range of economic, cultural, and differently abled backgrounds. This includes seniors, pregnant or postpartum women, LGBTQIA+, clients experiencing homelessness and clients currently experiencing and recovering from substance abuse illness. Competitive candidates will possess a desire and ability to offer excellent and empathetic services to all the clients we serve.

We are a smaller clinic that strives to provide excellent dental care to patients of all ethnic backgrounds. We have a fabulous team that works together to make the patients visit memorable.

Commitment to equity and social justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

Work schedule

The work schedule is 8:00am to 5:00pm. This position is a 1.0 FTE at 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday).

Work location

The primary onsite location is North Dental Clinic - 12359 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125. Must be willing to float to other King County clinics (Eastgate, Renton, Columbia and Downtown. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Job duties

Act as a chairside assistant for restorative, oral surgery, endodontic, hygiene and other procedures as needed. Take diagnostic quality intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs. Provide child prophy's. Apply dental sealants in clinical and community settings. Apply topical preventative agents. Take and review patient medical and dental history and present relevant info to the Dentist. Assist dentist with emergency procedures. Perform other duties as allowed by the Washington State Dental Practice Act 18.32. Educate patients in oral hygiene and anticipatory guidance health behaviors. Maintain patient flow. Responsible for accurate entry of visit data into the electronic dental record as per Dental Program Policies and Procedures and Medicaid billing guidelines. Accurately document medical record information under the direction of the dentist. Maintain patient records. Maintain operatories and dental spaces in good working order and ensure compliance with OSHA/WISHA requirements. Clean and sterilize dental instruments in accordance with State and Federal requirements. Perform routine dental equipment maintenance (clinical and portable) and process repairs. Maintain dental supply inventory and ordering. Assist with patient reminder calls and follow up on missed appointments as needed. Greet and reassure clients. Conduct follow-up with patients as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills

Ideal candidate:

• Current registration as a Dental Assistant in the State of Washington.
• Completion of a recognized Dental Assistant course program or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of methods and techniques used in dental assisting.
• Working knowledge of terminology, materials, equipment and instruments used in dentistry.
• Working knowledge of dental radiograph techniques and principles.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage your own and patient schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain patient files and other records in accordance with practice guidelines and applicable regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage behavioral issues in a dental clinic setting.
• Demonstrated ability to address conflict in a direct and professional manner.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, different physical and developmental abilities, as well as the ability to work with clients for whom English is a second language.
• Experience working with both in-person and telephonic interpreters in a clinical setting

Desired candidate:

• Experience in a public/community health center or clinic setting desired.
• Experience with using EPIC Wisdom electronic dental record.
• Applicants bilingual in English and Punjabi highly desired.
• Applicants bilingual in English and Spanish highly desired.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To apply, follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Whoever qualifies

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application
• Supplemental Questions
• Resume

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR (if applicable). The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment. (and Pre-employment Physical, if applicable).

For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.

Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.

Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

For more information about the application process please contact Alexis Owens at Alowens@kingcounty.gov.