Job ID : 2984597
Job Type: Allied
Specialty: Dental Assistant
Location : | 97227
Shift : Day (5×8 Hours) 7:30 4:30
Job Duration: 12
Start Date: 9/8/2025
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Job Description:
*LOCATED outside of main campus: 214 N. Russell St. Portland, OR 97227
Shift: 5×8’s 7:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday
On-call: NO
Floating: Little to none
POSITION SUMMARY:
The School of Dentistry shares the mission of the Oregon Health & Science University to provide educational programs, basic and clinical research, and high quality care and community programs. We strive to foster an environment of mutual respect where the free exchange of ideas can flourish. The dental school prepares graduates in general dentistry and the dental specialties to deliver compassionate and ethical oral-facial health care.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
2. Patient Care/Dental Assisting: Chairside assistance and support to surgeons, residents, interns and students. Work within dental team to address specific patient needs, educational and operative instruction. Assisting duties may include tissue retraction, suctioning, disinfection of treatment rooms and surgical suites, 4 & 6 handed dentistry, tray set up, breakdown and instrument sterilization and exposure of radiographs. Communicates post operative instructions to the patient. Takes impressions and pours models.
3. Clinical Operations: Organizes workday according to patient schedule. Responsible for patient for duration of appointment. Takes and records basic patient and vital information. Works with provider to enter treatment plan, consent and manage patient record. Communicates with scheduling team for patient follow up appointments. Prepares instruments for sterilization. Responsible for preparation and disinfecting of clinical rooms.
4. Maintenance and Inventory: Provides for/seeks out maintenance of equipment and instruments. Assemble and organize supplies and equipment. Manages and maintains inventory of supplies. And orders as needed. Cleans, organizes and stocks supplies in clinical areas.
5. Administrative and Support Duties: Assist other dental assistants through training and guidance; through teamwork initiatives, fill in where needed and actively support other dental assistants; communicate with schedulers, billing, environmental services, sterile processing, and any other groups as needed;
6. Educational Support: Provides support to dental students in techniques of four handed dentistry and use of chair side dental assistant. Reinforces aseptic techniques, posture, chair positions, instrument exchange, use of dental materials and efficient operatory set up. Explains and demonstrates equipment care. Evaluates dental students for infection control compliance. Match students with clinic partners which might include patient assignments.
7. Performs requirements of staff members as outlined in Compliance Roles & Responsibilities in OHSU Hospitals and Clinics. Performs job in compliance with state and national regulations (i.e. OSHA & HIPAA). Performs job duties as an integral member of our healthcare team.
Other clinical operations related tasks may be assigned.
Requirements:
-Completion of an approved Dental Assistant training program OR one year experience as a chair side Dental Assistant
-Must have worked as a dental assistant in an advanced specialty within the last 5
years
-Skilled at exposing radiographs
– Experience in sterilization of instruments
-Certification by the Oregon State Board of Dentistry for Radiological Proficiency
required for all positions
-Current valid Basic Life Support (BLS) card required (from approved vendor)
required for all positions
Preferred:
-Advanced specialty dental assisting may require EFDA, EFODA, DAANC, dental
anesthesia certification or other sedation/surgical advanced certifications, skills.
Graduate of accredited dental assisting program.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE:
•Ability to push/pull/lift 50+ pounds and to carry 30 pounds.
•Ability to stoop, turn, bend, squat, kneel, and to reach above shoulders and below knees.
•Ability to stand and walk for extended and constant periods of time throughout shift.
•Ability to perform repetitive motions for prolonged periods.
•Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required for safety.
•Ability to operate computers and job-related equipment.
This Dental Assistant position supports the Russell Street Dental Clinic but also supports multiple departments within the School of Dentistry based upon clinical needs. The position requires flexibility and willingness to adapt to new situations and processes based upon the specific department that is being supported for each shift. Work units are primarily housed at the Russell St. Dental Clinic with an additional work unit at the SOD, RLSB (Robertson Life Science Building) on the South Waterfront. EFDA certification highly encouraged.