Hygienist Assistant (HA2) - LD

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$24.62 - $30.28 Hourly

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

This is an Open to fill recruitment; candidates will be reviewed weekly starting 8/27/26. So apply immediately!

The Hygienist Assistant Health Assistant 2 (HA2) - Limited Duration (LD) works in the School and Community Oral Health (SCOH) Program, assisting the SCOH Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist with dental days in the in-school dental sealant program (grades 2, 3, 6-8), supporting student health center dental, baby day, and other projects. The person holding this position will be responsible for D3 programs - registering patients, dropping charges, inputting reporting data, transporting supplies, contacting parents and schools, promoting the dental program in school classrooms and at school functions, and assisting the hygienists as needed with care delivery, limited clinical procedural functions and documentation. During school closures this position will assist ICS dental clinics. 

M-W 7:30am - 4:00pm (assisting SCOH Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist at school sites)

Th 7:30am - 4:00pm (GCC assisting in-office staff with clerical duties as assigned)

***This is a Limited Duration position and may last up to 2 years.***

As the Hygienist Assistant (HA2) - LD you will: 

Provider Support/Infection Control

• Provides direct, limited clinical chairside assistance and support to Dental Hygienists as needed during dental assessments, dental sealants, and other preventative dental needs for efficient dental care and as a second party for providing safety requirements that student/patient is not alone with only one adult. 

• Chairside assistance may include passing cotton rolls, mirrors, etc. that do not require formal dental training; assist care providers with preliminary dental screenings/patient questions; and record appropriate patient data for providers. 

• Sets up SCOH dental care and equipment needs following the proper procedures ensuring all instruments and supplies are available for patient care. 

• Cleans areas via wiping down surfaces and prepares instruments for sterilization according to established infection control guidelines. 

• Follows and promotes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines and monitors supply (inventory) levels. 

• Coordinates and monitors dental equipment and materials on program days. 

• Transports portable dental supplies to and from SCOH to the dental site locations (schools) as needed. 

• Performs laboratory support duties, if needed.

Customer Service

• Interacts with patients in a respectful and courteous manner. 

• Provide direction and feedback to students and volunteers who assist in the school sealant program. 

• Communicate pertinent information to the dental team concerning dental student and volunteer performance or concerns. 

• Organizes and coordinates patient flow to the service site with minimal impact on school staff and students through scheduling students, updating clinic schedules, answering student questions, etc. 

• Goes to classroom to gather/collect students, walks/travels to dental area for services, and returns student to classroom, causing as little disruption as possible to the classroom and learning environment for the student and classroom. 

• Represents SCOH dental interests at school sites. 

• Increases consent form return rate, referring patients to the clinic by phone calls, printed materials, education at the schools or other means. 

• Registers patients in the Epic system and processes charges for billing.

Data and Reporting

• Review student/patient care and enrollment forms, follow up with students for incomplete information or missing forms, answer questions, record health, social and household information and history. 

• Verify insurance information. 

• Gather and input data into program reporting documents, program forms and medical charts. 

• Ensure medical and protected personal information is managed appropriately to maintain HIPAA and department standards. 

• Provide regular communication and status reports to supervisor and teammates indicating progress toward goals and any barriers/challenges being faced or needs for support for self, the team and/or students. 

• Track and report on areas of improvement such as reasons for student/patient no-show, need to change appointment time or date, etc.

Outreach, Engagement, Prevention Education and Health Promotion

• Conduct outreach calls in an effort to engage priority populations (primarily adolescents) in needed preventive or follow up care. 

• Provide program education to students, parents, and teachers; education and information may include referrals for services external to the Health Department. 

• Provide culturally appropriate oral health and adolescent health education and promotion to patients, educators, and parents related to needed preventive services. 

• Use behavior change theory and motivational interviewing techniques to help move patients toward goals for improved dental health. 

• Interact with patients in a friendly and professional manner. 

• Identify barriers in accessing care and problem solve with patients to overcome those barriers. 

• Support programmatic or operational goals to meet annual metric targets for identified and priority populations. 

• Provides feedback to the dental team for suggested improvements in care delivery, outreach to communities, etc.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website. 

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED):

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be as noted below. All non-traditional education, training, and experience will be evaluated.

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

• One (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 1-4 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

• BLS CPR Certification or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of hire.

Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING & EVALUATION (REQUIRED): 

The Application Packet: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Attach a Resume demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

2. Copy of BLS CPR Certification (if you have one): AND

3. Attach a Cover Letter addressing the following: 

• How do you meet the qualifications for this position; and 

• Why are you interested in the position

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. 

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications

• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates

• Consideration of top candidates/interviews

• Background, reference, and education checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-Exempt 

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee, you will create a work culture of respect, trust, and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

Applying for this posting will give you the opportunity to be placed on the eligible list for future opportunities for Health Assistant 2 positions as positions for these programs become available. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill regular, full or part time, temporary, on-call and limited duration assignments.

Pay Equity: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Caitrin Thomaselli

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

+1 (971) 4218257

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6294 - Health Assistant 2