Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT)

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) DEPARTMENT: Specialty Services-Dental WAGE: Contract FLSA STATUS: non-Exempt ESC CODE: 29-1299.52 FUNDING SOURCE: IHS / HRSA OPENING: September 3, 2026 CLOSING: September 13, 2026 Position Summary: The Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) provides preventive, educational, diagnostic, and routine dental treatment services to patients of Yakutat Community Health Center (YCHC) within the individual's approved DHAT scope of practice, certification, standing orders, credentialing, and clinical privileges. The DHAT works as part of the YCHC Dental Department under the supervision of a licensed dentist and supports YCHC's goal of increasing access to high-quality, culturally responsive oral healthcare within the Yakutat community. The position places a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, patient education, continuity of care, and reducing barriers to dental services in a rural community. This position requires compliance with Yakutat Tlingit Tribe’s compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the position’s regular performance evaluation. Essential Functions: Provides dental treatment and preventive services within the individual's approved DHAT scope of practice and YCHC clinical privileges. Obtains and documents patient medical and dental histories and performs appropriate dental assessments. Performs dental examinations, radiographs, diagnosis and treatment planning within authorized DHAT scope. Provides preventive services including oral health education, fluoride treatments, sealants, prophylaxis, and other approved preventive interventions. Performs restorative dental procedures authorized under the individual's DHAT certification and clinical privileges. Administers local anesthetic and performs approved dental procedures, including uncomplicated extractions, when authorized within the individual's scope and privileges. Provides appropriate emergency and palliative dental services within scope and consults with the supervising dentist when additional evaluation or treatment is required. Identifies patients requiring services outside DHAT scope and appropriately consults with or refers patients to the supervising dentist or other dental or medical professionals. Provides culturally responsive oral health education to patients, families, schools, elders, and the community. Promotes prevention and early intervention strategies to improve community oral health outcomes. Participates in community outreach, school-based services, prevention activities, health fairs, and other YCHC community health initiatives as assigned. Coordinates patient referrals, specialty dental services, follow-up care, and continuity of care as appropriate. Maintains complete, accurate, and timely patient documentation in the electronic health record. Maintains compliance with HIPAA, infection prevention, OSHA, patient safety, and YCHC policies and procedures. Follows all approved standing orders, clinical protocols, supervisory requirements, credentialing requirements, and scope-of-practice limitations. Maintains required DHAT certification, continuing education, competencies, credentialing, and clinical privileges. Participates in quality improvement, chart review, peer review, patient safety, and other Dental Department quality activities. Assists with maintaining dental equipment, instruments, supplies, and appropriate inventory levels. Follows established sterilization, infection-control, exposure-control, and clinical safety procedures. Assists with dental scheduling, patient follow-up, referrals, clerical duties, and other departmental administrative responsibilities as assigned. Works collaboratively with YCHC medical, behavioral health, community health, specialty care, and administrative staff to support coordinated patient care. Participates in staff meetings, departmental meetings, trainings, emergency preparedness activities, and organizational initiatives. Performs other duties as assigned that are consistent with the employee's qualifications, certification, and approved scope of practice. This position is a Mandatory Reporter. Performs related duties. Hybrid responsibilities: The hybrid schedule we be based on patient-care needs, Dental Department staffing, supervising dentist availability, and organizational needs. Clinical procedures and duties requiring direct patient contact will be performed on-site at YCHC or another approved service location. Remote duties may include patient follow-up, scheduling, referral coordination, chart review and documentation, treatment planning consultation, patient education, community outreach coordination, quality improvement activities, program development, continuing education, and other approved administrative or clerical responsibilities. The employee is expected to remain available and responsive during scheduled remote work hours and may be required to report on-site based on patient-care or operational needs. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of: DHAT clinical standards, scope of practice, and supervision requirements. Preventive, restorative, and community-based dental care. Dental terminology, infection prevention, sterilization, and patient safety. Ability to: Perform authorized dental procedures safely and competently. Recognize conditions requiring consultation, referral, or treatment by a dentist or other healthcare professional. Communicate effectively with patients, families, coworkers, and community partners. Provide culturally responsive and respectful care. Work independently while maintaining appropriate communication with the supervising dentist. Effectively organize and prioritize patient-care and administrative responsibilities. Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Utilize electronic health records, dental software, telehealth technology, and standard office equipment. Work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Skilled in: Performing authorized preventive, restorative, and emergency dental procedures safely and competently. Conducting dental assessments, obtaining patient histories, and identifying oral health needs. Applying infection prevention, sterilization, exposure-control, and patient safety practices. Recognizing conditions requiring consultation, referral, or additional evaluation. Communicating effectively with patients, families, coworkers, supervising dentists, and community partners. Providing culturally responsive, respectful, and patient-centered care. Using electronic health records, dental software, telehealth technology, and standard office equipment. Completing accurate and timely clinical documentation while maintaining patient confidentiality. Organizing and prioritizing patient care, referrals, follow-up, and administrative responsibilities. Collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and participating in community outreach and quality improvement activities. Work Environment/Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, including exposure to contagious diseases. Employees may be required to use protective clothing, such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimum Qualifications: Successful completion of an approved Dental Health Aide Therapist educational program. Current Dental Health Aide Therapist certification through the Community Health Aide Program Certification Board, or ability to obtain required certification prior to independent practice. Possession or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska with a clean driving record. Must successfully pass a criminal history and background check. Must present vaccination documentation or submit to immunity testing for Tdap, hepatitis B, measles, varicella, and influenza within 3 months of hire. Preferred: Clinical experience obtained through DHAT education, training, preceptorship, or professional practice. Experience working in a rural, Tribal, community health, or Alaska healthcare environment Disclosures: We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. THE YAKUTAT TLINGIT TRIBE IS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. THIS POSITION MAY BE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK. Preference will be given to qualified Yakutat Tlingit Tribal Member and/or Alaska Native candidates. NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE WILL BE APPLIED TO HIRING OF THIS POSITION AS DEFINED IN TITLE 25, US CODE, CHAPTER 14, SUBCHAPTER V, SUBSECTION 273 AND 274. WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WITH PREFERENCE GIVEN TO QUALIFIED NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND TRIBAL POLICY.