Dental Assistant 1

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) seeks a highly motivated and qualified individual for the Dental Assistant position.

The Dental Assistant will assist the dentist, maintain supplies and equipment, and, as needed, instruct and supervise students in the Campus Dental Clinic to ensure the safe and appropriate delivery of dental services while providing an effective learning experience for students both in clinic and in labs.

This position supports the College’s mission to support student success in post-secondary Academic transfer and workforce education that meet the needs of the South Sound region. This is demonstrated by supporting efforts to implement, administer, and coordinate instruction with students, staff, and the public on the content, policies, procedures, and activities of the Allied Health programs, and by ensuring compliance with all state and federal accrediting bodies.

 

South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti racist policy development, coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people, is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district. 

And if that isn't enough?  We also offer: 

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees, with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work, depending on position and college needs
• TheClipper Coffee Corner serves Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food 
• A brand new Health & Wellness Center
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE parking on our campuses – permits are not required
• On-campuschild care
• Many walking paths are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of workshops and events on campus
• Lots of activities with our Artist & Lecture series, which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in theKenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally and affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  • Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network that strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust-building across different groups through shared values.
  • The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility. 

The Dental Assistant 1 plays an essential role in supporting both patient care and student learning within a campus-based dental clinic. This position assists with a wide range of clinical and administrative duties while helping to create a structured, supportive environment for students as they develop their clinical skills. Work in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students to ensure safe, efficient clinic operations, high-quality patient care, and adherence to established protocols. This role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and a commitment to fostering a positive, hands-on educational experience in a collaborative clinical setting.

Duties 

• Assist the dentist chairside (take digital X-rays, fabricate and place temp crowns and fillings, take impressions, place sealants, make chart entries in Dentrix Ascend, take patient vitals, place dental dams and matrices).
• Set up and enforce correct infection control and hazardous waste protocol to include personal protective equipment for both staff and students, housekeeping, waste and sharps management, disinfection, sterilization, and records to include disposal of the above items
• Communicate with the clinic business manager regarding inventory and equipment needs and/or repairs. 
• Adheres to college policies and procedures to ensure PCI and HIPAA compliance.
• Knowledge of: Dental routine, terms, instruments, materials, and procedures; techniques of exposing and orienting dental X-rays; dental charting; types of sterilization and sterile techniques; record keeping.
• Ability to: Operate dental X-ray unit; take preliminary impressions or scans for crown and bridge procedures, polish and clean dentures; follow written and oral instructions.
• Other duties as assigned 

Mentor Students

• Guide, show, and explain dental assisting duties to students
• Correct students when necessary
• Guide and monitor clinical clinicians’ instructions and interactions with students

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate from a CODA-accredited Dental Assisting program. 
• Registered Dental Assistant with Washington State. 
• Two (2) or more years’ experience as a chairside dental assistant using 4-handed dentistry techniques. 
• Experience with Electronic Dental Records 
• Demonstrated experience or participation with persons from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to an inclusive and equitable working/learning environment.

Applications must be completed online and include the following attachments:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Screening Committee, highlighting your ability to perform the responsibilities and competencies described in the job posting. 
2. Current resume/CV showing all educational and professional experience, which demonstrates how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications. 

Top candidates will be notified directly to interview for this position. Selection will be based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed in this job posting as identified in the materials requested above. Applications with comments directing the reader to see attachments will be considered incomplete.

Veterans Preference
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans Preference should redact their personally identifiable information from a copy of their United States Department of Veterans Affairs honorable discharge documentation and email it to [email protected]with the job number for which they are applying in the subject line.

Background Check Condition of Employment
Employment with the college is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Any adverse information will be considered on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically preclude a candidate from employment.

Conditions of Part-Time Employment
Non-permanent employees under the provisions of WAC 357-19-435 are only authorized to work up to a maximum of 18 months from the original date of hire.  Employment with the college could end at any time.

Bargaining Unit

This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

South Puget Sound Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, Title II, and Title IX may be directed to:

Human Resource Office / Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 360-596-5300
Email: [email protected]
Building 25, Room 220
2011 Mottman Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98512

South Puget Sound Community College is a smoke-free and drug-free environment.

Applicants who require accommodations in the application process or need materials in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 596-5500.