MHC Healthcare is seeking a Dental Assistant – Trainee to join our Dental team at the MHC Marana Main Health Center, located in the heart of Marana, AZ. The Dental Assistant - Trainee promotes patients’ dental health by assisting Dentists and Dental Hygienists with the delivery of dental services. This trainee role is designed as a temporary employment program, under direct supervision, while mastering the skills necessary to become a Dental Assistant. MHC Healthcare is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC), with 16 sites in Tucson and Pima County. MHC Healthcare is building a world-class integrated health care system that is committed to caring for special populations, and focused on improving health outcomes for our patients.
The following qualifications are required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or Dental Assistant Radiography Certification by Credential from the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE) within 9 months of date of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (may be completed with MHC upon hire)

The following qualifications are preferred:

• Experience as a Dental Assistant
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate from DANB
• Dental Assistant Coronal Polishing certificate from DANB
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (or ability to obtain upon hire) – may be required for specific clinic assignments

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if applicable and must be directly related to the functions and body of knowledge required to successfully perform the job.
This position has the following supervisory responsibility:
Does not direct or supervise others.
The ideal candidate will also possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of infection control protocols and procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer proficient.
• Excellent customer service, organizational, and communication skills with emphasis on responsiveness, building trust, mutual respect, and courtesy.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and commitment to supporting and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through work performance and professional interactions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares treatment area for patient by pulling patient chart and cleaning, sterilizing, and setting up treatment area and equipment.
• Prepares patient for treatment by reviewing dental chart, greeting, seating, draping, and taking blood pressure as appropriate, and by providing information about dental services.
• Supports efficiency of Dentist by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area, properly positioning and passing instruments, and suctioning during treatments.
• Selects, mixes, and arranges bases and impression materials.
• Electronically mounts and files dental x-rays per department procedures under the supervision of the Dentist
• Counsels patients on dental health, obtains consent for extractions and treatments, provides aftercare instructions, and schedules follow-up appointments.
• Maintains documentation of patient care services by completing patient and department records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Protects patients and employees by complying with infection control policies and procedures.
• Ensures safe and proper operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance, following manufacturer’s instructions, reporting malfunctions, requesting repairs, and maintaining inventory.
• Performs spore testing to ensure proper autoclave functioning for safe sterilization of instruments.
• Maintains required supplies inventory, ensuring appropriate stock is available, avoiding overstock of supplies, and carefully observing expiration dates and budgetary considerations.
• Ensures treatment areas are adequately stocked and ready for use.
• Participates in in-services and education programs as required.
• Utilizes appropriate channels for reporting, discussing, and solving problems or concerns, and contributes to team effectiveness by collaborating to solve problems in a constructive manner.
• Communicates with specialist offices and coordinates outside lab work by writing lab slips and monitoring inflow and outflow of lab work.
• Maintains proper personal protective equipment (PPE) stocks and maintains certification and proper use of their own PPE (gowns, masks, n95s, etc.).
• Assists in purchasing process, including obtaining quotes and purchase orders, placing orders, and keeping track of incoming products.
• Assists in laundering dental lab coats, blankets, and other items washed in-house.

Benefits:
As an employee of MHC Healthcare, we share in a very strong mission: Dedication to providing Service Excellence in Promoting Health and Well Being. To support this mission in our community, MHC Healthcare believes it must start at home. Therefore, employees have many opportunities to care for our health and wellness with benefits such as:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 403(b) with employer contribution
• Short-term disability and other benefits
• Paid time off including 11 holidays plus vacation and sick leave accrual
• Paid bereavement, jury duty, and community service time
• Employee discount for medical services ($500 for full-time)
• Tuition reimbursement

MHC Healthcare will recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition, all personnel actions such as compensation, promotion, demotion, benefits, transfers, staff reductions, terminations, reinstatement and rehire, company-sponsored training, education and tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will be administered in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity.