Dental Assistant

Company Description

IHMS USA, Inc. provides medical services to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, including individuals and families who are migrating, displaced, or affected by conflict, disaster, or disease. For more than 20 years, IHMS has delivered compassionate, high-quality healthcare services across the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, IHMS USA focuses on supporting communities across the Western Hemisphere while drawing on the global experience and best practices developed by IHMS teams around the world.

Our work is driven by a commitment to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered care in complex environments. To support this mission, IHMS has developed accredited and compliant management systems that help ensure quality care while tracking and coordinating every aspect of patient health services. These systems promote transparency, strengthen safeguarding practices, and provide near real-time visibility into clinical operations.

We understand that many of the individuals we serve are navigating difficult and uncertain circumstances. That’s why our care model includes access to comprehensive behavioral health services when needed, ensuring patients receive both medical and emotional support.

For healthcare professionals, working with IHMS means being part of a mission-driven team dedicated to making a meaningful impact. Our teams operate around the world and stand ready to provide compassionate care wherever it is needed most. For more information, please visit: www.ihmsusa.us.

Job Description

This position is eligible for an additional sign-on bonus.

IHMS USA, Inc. is looking for an experienced Dental Assistant to perform supportive dental functions that facilitate the work of the dentist and dental hygienist including aiding at chairside, instrument processing, sterilization, infection control, radiographic tasks, dental equipment care, and administrative chores as directed by the dentist within prescribed policy and accreditation standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides dental assisting including clinical and administrative duties to facilitate the work of the dentist and dental hygienist in a detention and/or residential setting.  
• Assists the dentist and dental hygienist with patient treatment including all operatory set-up and clean-up procedures in accordance with policy and CDC guidelines (e.g. surface disinfection, waterline and suction treatment, proper sharps handling/disposal methods, etc). 
• Performs optimum sterilization and/or disinfection procedures including instrument processing, autoclave operation/maintenance, and spore testing in accordance with policy and CDC guidelines. 
• Assists with the maintenance of patient's record through appointment scheduling, documentation of subjective findings, vital signs, dictated oral conditions, and preparation/completion of dental forms. 
• Provides patient education including oral hygiene instructions, post-operative instructions, and availability of care instructions. 
• Takes digital and/or film radiographs as ordered including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays. 
• Observes radiation safety protocols, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radiation Protection Guidance and recommendations, National Council on Radiation Protection Guidance, and American Dental Association recommendations/guidance when exposing dental radiographs to assure optimal patient and provider safety. 
• Maintains sharps and instrument accountability in the dental clinic through performance and logging of daily inventory of all sharps and instruments at the beginning and end of each workday. 
• Maintains all required logs/ inventories to include but not limited to biological monitoring log, biopsy log, sharps log, instrument log, chemical inventory, maintenance logs, etc. 
• Collects and organizes dental data and submits to the regional dental consultant in a timely manner.  
• Attends monthly dental teleconferences, organizational and local duty station meetings. 
• Performs duties in support of the local medical unit and/or Dental Program (e.g. equipment maintenance, supply/equipment acquisition, performance improvement initiatives, document scanning, etc). 
• In the absence of the dentist and/or dental hygienist, the dental assistant will provide support services to the medical clinic under the direction of the supervisory authority or designee (e.g. performing vital signs and/or other duties within the scope of dental assistant practice). 
• Adheres to and maintains awareness of all policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda and accreditation standards. 
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all communications with coworkers and clients, fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment that values diversity. 
• Complete required organizational compliance education, including assigned requirements that are client-specified, for Joint Commission Healthcare Staffing Services certification or other regulatory bodies.   

This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above. 

Qualifications

Required Licensure / Certification: 

• Must hold and maintain a current unrestricted dental assisting certificate, license, or registration as required by the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) in Maryland or have the ability to obtain one. 
• Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification is preferred but not required.   
• Must hold and maintain dental x-ray certification as required by the SBDE in Maryland during the term of employment or have the ability to obtain one. 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

Required Education and Experience: 

• Applicant must demonstrate successful completion of a dental assisting program located in the United States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territory. 
• Applicant must have at least one-year recent clinical experience in the United Sates as a practicing dental assistant.   

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge and understanding of dental assisting principles such as four handed dentistry, basic oral anatomy, dental materials, infection control, dental radiology technique and safety. 
• Must adhere to requirements for safety, infection control, quality assurance, documentation, and data management. 
• Completes and passes all competency testing initially, annually, and as needed. 
• Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned. 
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures. 
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written). 
• Ability to respond to and assist with medical emergencies. 
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment. 
• Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements. 
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment. 
• Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web-based training and communications. 
• Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint. 
• Knowledge of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records and information (HIPAA/Privacy Act) and applicable accreditation standards. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance. 
• Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile. 
• Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds. 
• Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling. 
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging patients or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self). 
• Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary. 
• Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds. 
• Must perform the duties of my job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations. 
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time. 
• Average manual dexterity for computer operation. 
• Phone or computer use for extended periods of time. 

Other Special Qualifications: 

• Must maintain current/physical residency in the continental U.S. 
• Pass a medical examination conducted by a licensed physician within 30 days prior to initial assignment. 
• U.S. citizen that has resided in the U.S. for the last five years (unless abroad on official U.S. government duty). 
• Successfully engage in and complete a thorough Background Investigation. 
• Poses or have ability to obtain required security clearances. 
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred. 

Additional Information

Privacy Disclaimer:  Policy link

By clicking “I’m Interested” and submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the applicable Privacy Policy (available via the link above) and agree that IHMS USA, Inc., may collect, use, store, transfer, and otherwise process your personal information in accordance with that Privacy Policy for recruitment and hiring purposes.

Compensation Disclaimer:
Pay range is based on several factors and may vary in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Final salary and offer will be determined by the applicant’s background, experience, skills, internal equity, and alignment with geographical market data.

Benefits Language (FTE roles):
Full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Additional benefits include a 401k plan, paid time off, and an annual bonus. IHMS USA, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) Statement:
IHMS USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.