Dental Hygiene Clinic Assistant

Dental Hygiene Clinic Assistant (Part-Time)

Location: Albuquerque, NM (Albuquerque Campus) | On-Site

Program: Dental Hygiene

Type: Full-Time (40 Hours Per Week) | Non-Exempt

Compensation: $17.84 to $21.40 per hour

Position Summary

Support the daily operations of our Dental Hygiene Program Clinic at Pima Medical Institute! We are seeking a detail-oriented Dental Hygiene Clinic Assistant to join our Albuquerque campus team on a 32-hour per week schedule.

In this role, you will work closely with the Clinical Director to prepare treatment operatories, manage sterilization processes, oversee infection control protocols, and support chair-side operations. This position offers a stable career in an educational environment with employee-owner benefits and a predictable schedule without weekend work.

Key Responsibilities

Clinic & Sterilization Operations:

• Operatory Preparation: Prepare, maintain, and disinfect clinic operatories, laboratories, and sterilization suites for daily instructional use.

• Infection Control & Safety: Oversee instrument sterilization, infection control, and biohazard waste disposal in strict compliance with OSHA, CDC, and institutional standards.

• Maintenance & SDS: Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS), log quality assurance checks, and troubleshoot or arrange service for dental equipment (chairs, radiographic units, sterilizers, and suction systems).

Clinical & Administrative Support:

• Chairside Assisting: Provide chairside assistance to clinic dentists and dental hygienists during student clinical patient care.

• Inventory Management: Track, order, and organize dental supplies, materials, and equipment inventory in coordination with the Clinical Director.

• Front Office & Lab Tracking: Assist with front office duties, HIPAA documentation, tracking dental lab cases, and training Dental Assisting externs as needed.

• Student Mentorship: Support faculty in monitoring student adherence to clinical policies, sanitation, and safety protocols.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of practical work experience in a dental office or as a Dental Assistant.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and basic computer applications.

• Equivalent Qualification: An equivalent combination of training, education, or relevant dental experience that meets the minimum requirements will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Dental Assistant certification/license in the state of New Mexico (or RDA credential).

• Practical experience using dental practice management software (e.g., Dentrix or Eaglesoft).

• Demonstrated expertise in healthcare infection control protocols and OSHA/CDC compliance.

Compensation & Employee-Owner Benefits

• Hiring Range: $17.84 to $21.40 per hour.

• Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours per week).

• Ownership: Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)—become a stakeholder in our 100% employee-owned company.

• Retirement: 401(k) Plan with employer matching contributions (up to 10%).

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Time Off & Growth: New Mexico Paid Sick Leave, Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, and Tuition Reimbursement.