Dental Assistant Lead Instructor

Dental Assistant Lead Instructor

Location: Pima Medical Institute - Renton Campus, WA (On-site)

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt (Faculty)

Reports To: Assistant Dean of Faculty

Compensation: $25.88 - $32.35 Hourly Rate

JOB SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant Lead Instructor is responsible for instructing and implementing the Dental Assistant program curriculum to educate students in accordance with the curriculum standards and objectives. This role also provides crucial oversight of the quality and integrity of the Dental Assistant program.

Key Responsibilities & Functions

Program Leadership & Oversight (Lead Instructor Essential Functions):

• Oversee the implementation and adherence to the program curriculum.

• Partner with the Assistant Dean of Faculty (ADF) to prepare accreditation preparation documentation and programmatic meeting agendas. Facilitate the meeting and write a minute report on the items discussed.

• Review curriculum/textbooks and make recommendations to the Education Department during program revision cycles.

• Conduct on-site externship site qualifications and midpoint externship student site visits.

• Supervise students on externship in collaboration with Career Services.

• Assist with the orientation of new hires and mentoring the team.

• Assist with the inventory and ordering of supplies and equipment.

• Facilitate Advisory Board Meetings to ensure externship concerns, student progress, programmatic outcomes, and community satisfaction are communicated to the Assistant Dean of Faculty and Campus Director.

• In conjunction with the Assistant Dean of Faculty, ensure compliance with proper lab ratios.

• May be required to track graduate certification pass rates.

• Facilitate communication with hybrid didactic faculty and provide support for hybrid students.

• Participate, and ensure progression of meeting goals, in the annual updating of the Program Effectiveness Plan (PEP).

Instructional Delivery (Essential Functions):

• Design and deliver individual lesson plans in one or more subjects using various teaching techniques appealing to different learning styles.

• Plan instruction to achieve specific objectives based on student needs and established curriculum.

• Partner with admissions and career services in on-site and off-site activities, and externship placement activities.

• Evaluate, provide feedback, and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers within 72 hours.

• Discuss and document academic or behavioral issues with students as they arise and alert the Assistant Dean of Faculty and Student Services Coordinator within 24 hours of a behavioral incident.

• Maintain regularly scheduled face-to-face office hours to advise and assist students.

• Review and suggest changes regularly to course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts, using the established process.

• Participate in faculty meetings, advisory board meetings, in-service opportunities, graduations, workshops, and other campus and professional development opportunities.

• Complete required documentation for individual student files, attendance, incident reports, early alerts, and other necessary records.

• Arrange and coordinate guest speakers, community service field trips, and/or visits to clinics and medical offices.

• Enforce safety and security standards for students, staff, and visitors.

• Demonstrates an understanding of critical numbers and works towards achieving the mission award for the program.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Comprehensive and current knowledge of the subject matter.

• Planning and execution of appropriate learning experiences.

• Assess student’s knowledge and plan remediation.

• Role model professionalism and a commitment to the profession.

• Create and foster an engaging learning environment.

• Administer effective assessments.

• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, and computer skills.

Compensation & Benefits (Washington State Pay Transparency)

• Hourly Rate: $25.88 - $32.35 per hour

• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package includes Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401(k), Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and Paid Time Off (PTO).

Minimum Qualifications

• Program Graduation: Graduation from an accredited Dental Assistant program recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or CHEA, or a graduate of an otherwise recognized training entity (e.g., hospital-based program) in Dental Assisting, OR a minimum of three (3) years of job-related training and experience for instructors not graduates from an accredited Dental Assistant program.

• Clinical Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of occupational (i.e., practical) experience in Dental Assisting.

• Knowledge: Must be aware of state requirements governing dental assisting programs. Proficient in didactic and clinical four-handed and/or six-handed dentistry principles.

• Skills: Verbal and written communication skills.

Required Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations:

• Core Credential: Nationally Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), or licensed dentist. (Dentists are not required to hold the CDA or RDA credential).

• General Credential: Current license, certification, or other credential required by local, state, or federal laws to work in the Dental Assistant field.

Workforce Environment and Physical Demands

The role requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, talking, and hearing to a normal range. Physical tasks involve carrying, grasping, kneeling, lifting, and the ability to distinguish between close and far vision.

Exposures: Muscular Strain, Noise, Vision Strain, and Biohazardous Materials.

Pima Medical Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.