Dental Assistant I - Temporary

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center • Cornelius, OR

5h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a temporary, six-month training position in Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center’s internal Dental Assistant I to Dental Assistant II upskilling pilot. The program prepares experienced Dental Assistants for expanded functions through structured clinical training, mentorship, and certification support. Continued employment is contingent on completing the program and the availability of positions. The role includes paid time for skills development and certification preparation, supervised clinical learning with dental assistant, hygienist, and/or dentist preceptors, and schedules that may include designated skills-lab days and adjusted clinic assignments.

The Dental Assistant supports dental providers and patients during care, helps maintain patient flow and operatory readiness, performs sterilization and equipment maintenance, and supports inventory and documentation needs. Expanded-function duties may be performed only while actively pursuing the required expanded-functions check-off and under the direct supervision of a licensed dental practitioner. The position handles protected health information and must comply with HIPAA, infection-control, OSHA, FTCA, and privileging requirements.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Passed infection control exam (ICE).
• Oregon Radiology Certification (ORCR) required at the time of hire.
• Successfully complete CPFDA or EFPDA certification during the six-month pilot program.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, a safe driving record, and insurance coverage.
• Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with people from diverse racial, educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a professional team.
• Willingness to support team members in accomplishing daily activities.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Meet applicable immunization requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate dental providers’ needs by selecting and laying out instruments and materials for procedures.
• Assist dental providers chairside with instrument and material preparation and transfer, following approved dental assisting principles.
• Administer or dispense fluoride varnish, topical anesthetic, and desensitizers when appropriate or requested by the dental provider.
• Take impressions for diagnostic or opposing models and for temporary or provisional restorations or appliances.
• Take and record patient blood pressures according to the dental blood pressure procedure.
• Perform A1c tests after completing required training and maintain competency through annual refresher training.
• Place and adjust digital sensors, expose x-rays, and confirm images are of diagnostic quality.
• Support patient comfort and a positive patient experience throughout visits.
• Support dental-department patient flow, including preparing and seating patients and coordinating timely operatory turnover.
• Maintain clean, orderly operatories during procedures; disinfect and reset them after each patient.
• Clean, disinfect, and sterilize instruments and tray setups according to established protocols.
• Maintain and disinfect handpieces, vacuum lines, dental units, chairs, and operatory lights so they remain sterilized and operational.
• Follow infection-control and OSHA guidelines and work with the Lead DA and Dental Operations Manager to ensure compliance.
• Perform daily, weekly, and quarterly equipment maintenance as directed by the Lead DA and/or Dental Operations Manager.
• Maintain dental supply inventory, order supplies as needed, submit purchase orders when requested, and restock operatories and supply areas.
• Perform expanded-function duties only while actively obtaining a required EFDA or EFPDA check-off and under direct supervision of a licensed dental practitioner.
• Complete and maintain documentation and training required for FTCA coverage, compliance, and privileging.
• Handle protected health information in accordance with HIPAA and the minimum necessary standard.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain the immunizations required by VGMHC policy and applicable state and federal guidelines.

Benefits

• Paid training time for skills development, certification preparation, and clinical mentorship.
• VGMHC will reimburse certification costs upon successful completion.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED