Dental Assistant Apprenticeship

Job Description

Purpose of Job:
Improve the overall health of the communities we serve by learning to manage patient care at an assigned dental clinic through participation in a dental assistant training program as follows:

• A Personal Statement:
  The CHAS Health Apprentice program desires individuals who have a passion to help others and a vision to succeed in healthcare. This field requires flexibility, adaptability, and perseverance. In your personal statement, please explain why you think you would be successful in this program. Please include your personal goals and what obstacles may stand between you and successful completion of the program and how will you overcome these obstacles.
  
  Please respond in approximately 350 words or less.
• A Life Impact Statement:
  The Apprenticeship programs are a commitment that includes a 2000 hours on-the-job training program and potential employment upon successful completion. In this statement, please explain how this educational training will affect your work and personal life. Please respond in approximately 350 words or less.
• A Short Answer Response:
  The field of healthcare requires flexibility, dependability, and empathy. Give an example of a situation when you had to use these skills. Please respond in approximately 100 words or less.
• A Letter of Recommendation – 1 required.
• A Resume – Essential.

• Shadows an assigned Dental Assistant coach per CHAS Health Dental Assistant Training Program guidelines.
• Completes all coursework and assignments on time, and follows all requirements of program, including participation of all lab training dates.
• Greets and escorts patients to assigned dental chairs.
• Reviews and updates patient charts.
• Assists dental provider with required procedures, exams, and patient education.
• Takes x-rays, as needed.
• Ensures dental exam areas are clean, stocked, and ready for patients.
• Cleans, prepares, and sterilizes instruments.
• Answers phones and schedules patients, as needed.
• Observes and follows required safety protocols, including handling and disposal of sharps, use of personal protective equipment, exposure to blood borne pathogens, and general safety of employees and patients.
• Obtains vitals including blood pressure and blood glucose measurements on indicated patients per CHAS Health protocol.
• Performs other duties assigned, including supporting the CHAS Health Mission and Core Values.

• Education/
  
  Experience:
  
  High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Valid Dental Assistant Registered license in state of Washington required within 120 days of hire.
• Excellent customer service, oral and written communications skills required.
• Compassion for patients required.
• Must be able to work well in team environment.
• Ability to multi-task in fast-paced work environment, with ability to anticipate future needs.
• Computer skills required.
• Knowledge in surgical and restorative dental assisting required.
• BLS (CPR/AED) required.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance required.
• Commitment to supporting a safe and respectful environment is required.

Dental Assistants are required to stand one-third to two-thirds of the day; while sitting and being mobile are required one-third to two-thirds of the time. They are required to use hands to finger, handle or feel over two-thirds of the time, as well as reach with hands and arms. Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling or crouching occurs less than one-third of the time.

Communicating by talking / hearing occurs over two-thirds of the day. Smelling occurs between one-third and two-thirds of the day. Amount of time spent lifting or exerting force is about 50% for up to 10 pounds and less than one-third of the time up to 25 pounds. Rarely is there a need to lift more than 26 pounds. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CHAS Health will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. CHAS Health does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Compensation Range: $20.38 - $29.06.