Dental Assistant

Dental AssistantFull Time, Permanent
Washington Corrections Center (WCC)
Shelton, WA

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for a full-time, permanent Dental Assistant to join the Health Services team located at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, WA.
The Washington Corrections Center (WCC) is a state prison for men, with an operating capacity of 1,268 incarcerated individuals. WCC includes the Reception Center in which all individuals entering the Washington State Prison System must pass through to be permanently assigned to their long-term care facility.
 
A COMPLETED APPLICATION PACKET WILL INCLUDE:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter
• Three professional references

Application assessment will be ongoing, the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It’s the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment could be used to fill multiple permanent or non-permanent positions.

Direct chairside assisting with the following dental procedures 

• Diagnostic
• Preventive
• Periodontics
• Endodontics
• Oral Surgery
• Prosthetics
• Operative Procedures

Provide patient customer service. 

• Meet the patient and seat the patient in the dental unit in a timely manner.
• Explain the planned treatment to the patient. Take radiographs as prescribed by the dentist. Maximize patient comfort to the extent possible.

Educate and instruct the patient. 

• Educate the patient in health behaviors including oral hygiene.
• Inform the patient of the necessary (planned) treatment, the right to decline, and the consequences of declining to have a condition treated.
• Inform the patient of the DOC policy regarding access to dental services and Offender Health Plan Counsel the patient on self-care measures. Give patient ‘procedure specific’ instructions.

Establish therapeutic relationships that preserve professional boundaries with patients. 

• Direct patients to exhibit appropriate, respectful behavior at all times.
• Write infractions as appropriate.
• Provide accurate, authoritative information to groups or communities.

Maintain patient records and all documentation (hardcopy and electronic) as mandated by statute, DOH policy, and DOC policy.

• Provide proper documentation in the patient chart.
• Ensure that kites are referred to and signed by the appropriate dentist.
• Document planned and completed treatment in the patient chart at the direction of the appointing dentist.
• Count and record hazardous equipment and supplies (to include syringes, knives, needles, sutures, forceps, scalpels, spatulas) in the appropriate logbook. Counts are required to be completed by two people (dental assistant and witness)
• Monitor and maintain the integrity of all Dental Clinical logbook records.
• Maintain the integrity of the dental records and the patient health record as a whole.

Monitor and maintain dental equipment, dental supplies, inventory, and logbooks.

Facilitate the functions of the Dental Clinic. 

Other duties as assigned. 

• Attend required staff meetings. 
• Write incident reports according to DOC policy requirements and upon direction of leadership including the Shift Lieutenant.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a graduate of a recognized dental assisting program.
• Must be registered to practice dental assisting with the Washington State Department of Health and have an unblemished and unrestricted record. 
• Must ensure that registration is renewed in accordance with regulations and that proof of current registration is provided by anniversary date each year to facility clinical leadership.
• Must maintain current CPR certification and provide proof of status to facility clinical leadership annually.

 

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years’ experience as a dental assistant.
• Experience and/or education in working with medical/dental documents and using medical/dental terminology.
• Experience providing dental services in a correctional environment or full-service community health clinic.
• Knowledge in the areas of scheduling routine/special dental procedures and patient visits.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications and related technologies.

Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.  If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.   

**Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  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 position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration. 
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.

• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.  
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds. 
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• Salary is based on experience and is determined at the time a final offer of employment is made.

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies: 

Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

What We Offer: 

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority.  Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.  Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 3 days of Bereavement Leave
• 12 paid holidays a year 
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans.  For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email nicholas.epps@doc1.wa.gov. or call us at 360-515-2470.For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.