DSHS WSH Dental Assistant 1

Full Job Description

WSH Dental Assistant

We have an exciting and rare opening for a Registered Dental Assistant to join our team at Western State Hospital. You will serve adults with serious mental illness.

Working in a psychiatric hospital builds a level of clinical skill and professional confidence that a standard dental office rarely can.

You will learn to deliver precise, patient care in an environment that asks more of you, developing the kind of adaptability, judgment, and calm under pressure that employers across healthcare actively look for.

As a Dental Assistant, you will support our Dentists who perform general dentistry, oral surgery, endodontic, and prosthodontic procedures.

The dental clinic is a small, close-knit team doing meaningful work, delivering oral care to patients who depend on us for their overall health. Schedule: Day shift, Monday - Friday.

Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you'll do:

• Perform chair-side dental assisting for a dentist in all phases of dentistry.
• Take impressions, places matrices, and wedges.
• Ability to assist Dentist and Hygienist as needed utilizing dentistry.
• Dental charting.
• Give fluoride treatments; teach oral hygiene.
• Expose and process dental x-rays.
• Take and record blood pressure.
• Make preliminary dental inspections.
• Prepare instruments for sterilization with central services.
• Assist in maintaining infection control standards in the dental clinic including monitoring equipment and ensuring dental materials are current.
• Other duties as directed by the Dentist.

Who should apply?
Must have a current registration as a Dental Assistant in Washington State.
AND
Two or more years of experience as a dental assistant or equivalent education/experience.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Dental procedures: Works efficiently and accurately at chairside across a full range of dental treatments.
• Dental radiology: Applies x-ray techniques and exposure protocols to produce diagnostic-quality images as delegated by the dentist.
• Dental charting: Follows charting conventions to document clinical findings, treatment, and patient health history accurately.
• Instrument sterilization: Prepares and sterilizes instruments following established infection control protocols.
• Patient interaction: Communicates clearly and calmly with patients who may have complex behavioral health needs.
• Behavioral de-escalation: Applies de-escalation techniques to support patients experiencing behavioral distress, keeping the clinical environment safe for patients and staff.
• Technology skills: Navigates computer programs and web-based systems to complete EHR documentation.

Interested?

Apply today!The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work.

It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS.

We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Email DSHS Recruiter, Georgina Pringle, at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov or call the main Talent Acquisition line at 360-725-5810 and reference 03054.

Additional Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license.

Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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