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Dental Assistant


Public Health Seattle & King County is looking for a dynamic, flexible and client centered candidate to fill a Dental Assistant for our Public Health Clinical Dental program at North Public Health Center. Public Health Dental serves a diverse population of clients, both children and adults, from a wide range of economic, cultural and differently abled backgrounds. This includes seniors, pregnant and postpartum persons, people with physical or mental disabilities, foreign language speakers, members of the LGBTQIA+, clients experiencing homelessness and clients currently experiencing and recovering from substance abuse illness.


Competitive candidates will possess a desire and ability to offer excellent and empathetic service to all the clients we serve. Dental Assistants work to the full scope of their certification under the supervision of a Dentist or Dental Hygienist as well as the Dental Clinic supervisor in a variety of dental restoration and prevention procedures and other related duties as required in a dental clinic and/or community health setting. Our dental clinics use Epic Wisdom electronic dental records. Training in Epic Wisdom is provided for all clinical dental employees. 


Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. 

Background

Temporary opportunity.  Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last until August 11, 2026. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions.  The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.


Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.


The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.


We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.


To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx


Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for position is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This position is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and overtime eligible.


Work Location

This position is based out of the North Public Health Center at the Meridian Center for Health, located at 12359 Lake City Way NE, Seattle WA 98125.

As business needs dictate, the incumbent may be asked to provide backfill assistant at any of our other dental clinic locations. Those locations include:

Columbia Dental Clinic: 4400 37th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Downtown Dental Clinic: 2124 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Eastgate Dental Clinic, 14350 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98007


Requirements

  • Act as a chairside assistant for restorative, oral surgery, endodontic, hygiene and other procedures as needed.
  • Take diagnostic quality intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs.
  • Provide child prophys. Apply dental sealants in clinical and community settings. Apply topical preventative agents.
  • Take and review patient medical and dental history and present relevant info to the Dentist.
  • Assist dentist with emergency procedures.
  • Perform other duties as allowed by the Washington State Dental Practice Act 18.32.
  • Educate patients in oral hygiene and anticipatory guidance health behaviors.
  • Maintain patient flow.
  • Responsible for accurate entry of visit data into the electronic dental record as per Dental Program Policies and Procedures and Medicaid billing guidelines.
  • Accurately document medical record information under the direction of the dentist.
  • Maintain patient records.
  • Maintain operatories and dental spaces in good working order and ensure compliance with OSHA/WISHA requirements.
  • Clean and sterilize dental instruments in accordance with State and Federal requirements.
  • Perform routine dental equipment maintenance (clinical and portable) and process repairs.
  • Maintain dental supply inventory and ordering.
  • Assist with patient reminder calls and follow up on missed appointments as needed.
  • Greet and reassure clients.
  • Conduct follow-up with patients as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

  • Current registration as a Dental Assistant in the State of Washington.
  • Documentation of current BLS CPR certification with AED training required at time of job offer. Online CPR/AED Heartsaver courses do not meet this requirement.
  • Completion of a recognized Dental Assistant course program or equivalent experience.
  • Working knowledge of methods and techniques used in dental assisting.
  • Working knowledge of terminology, materials, equipment and instruments used in dentistry.
  • Working knowledge of dental radiograph techniques and principles.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively manage your own and patient schedules.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain patient files and other records in accordance with practice guidelines and applicable regulations.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage behavioral issues in a dental clinic setting.
  • Demonstrated ability to address conflict in a direct and professional manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, different physical and developmental abilities, as well as the ability to work with clients for whom English is a second language.
  • Experience working with both in-person and telephonic interpreters in a clinical setting.


The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):

  • Experience in a public/community health center or clinic setting desired.
  • Experience with using EPIC Wisdom electronic dental record.
  • Applicants bilingual in English and Spanish highly desired.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

These career service positions are open to both internal and external candidates


Application Process

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

  • NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
  • Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)


Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.


Necessary Special Requirements

  • The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
  • The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR.
  • The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
  • For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en
  • Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
  • Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
  • Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
  • Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
  • When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
  • If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.


Union Membership

Represented by the Local 8 labor union.


Contact

For questions about this recruitment, contact Catherine Fitzpatrick (catherine.fitzpatrick@kingcounty.gov) 


Date Posted
07/15/2025
Job Reference
2025CF24572
Organization
DPH - Public Health, Community Health Services
Location
King County, WA
Category
Dentistry
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