Dental Assistant

Title: Dental Assistant

Location: Dental Clinic; 12750 SE Stark St. Bldg. E, Portland, OR 97233

Schedule: Hours are Tuesday – Friday or Monday – Thursday, 7:15 AM – 6 PM

Wage Range: $25.00 - $31.00, Non-exempt

At NARA NW, you'll find a supportive and inclusive work environment where every member of our team is valued and respected. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there's a place for you to make a positive impact.

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW, we provide essential services and support to Native American and Alaska Native people, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. As an organization rooted in cultural heritage and community values, we offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a direct positive impact in the lives of others.

We have over 400 employees in a wide range of programs and services, including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and cultural enrichment programs, there are endless opportunities to grow and thrive in your career while making a difference in the lives of others.

If you are a motivated and dedicated Dental Assistant looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

Position Overview:

Assist the dental professionals with the daily operation of the dental clinic in accordance with NARA’s health and wellness objectives for patients and families.  To ensure that the provision of dental health services takes place in a professional, non-bias environment and is accomplished efficiently.

What you will do:

• Assist Dentist at chair side, utilizing basic and expanded function dental assistant techniques
• Pass instruments and materials to, and retrieve from, the Dentist
• Keep area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation
• Retract tissue, tongue, and cheek.
• Maintain aseptic condition during surgical procedure, stabilizing tissue, cutting sutures and checking for signs of patient distress such as fainting or shock
• Place and remove rubber dam and applying topical fluoride
• Assist Dentist by operating dental x-ray equipment, taking intraoral and digital radiographs, developing and mounting film, or storing them in appropriate electronic file
• Complete required sterilization procedures
• Maintain dental equipment, operatories, and lab sterilization area
• Package and sterilize instruments.
• Change sterilization and disinfectant solutions according to required schedules
• Change x-ray solutions and clean developer
• Clean and lubricate hand pieces after each use
• Accurately maintain electronic patient charts and records
• Record information as instructed by dental professional
• Prepare other necessary forms
• Help compile pre-authorization documents for dental services
• Assist clinic professionals with various wellness and community education activities
• Assist with community screenings and dental care needs at other NARA sites

We would like to hear from people that have:

• Graduation from an accredited trade school or job skills training in a certified Dental Assistant program
• Certified Dental Assistant certificate and EFDA certificate
• Radiology certificate
• First aid and CPR certificate
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a Dental Assistant position 
• Either High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification required.

What’s in it for you?

14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25^th!

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Referral Program- (Up to $1000 Dollars)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that’s all!
3. Feel free to contact recruiting@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety.  All employees must agree to model sobriety, including no alcohol drinking, no illicit drug use, no marijuana use, and no prescription drug abuse behavior.  If in recovery, must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that will be able to model sobriety..

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.