Client Service Specialist, Dental Assistant (Mobile)

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Client Service Specialist, Dental Assistant (Mobile)

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Grant-funded Full-time

Job Number

14727

Department

Public Health Services

Division

Community Health & Wellness

Opening Date

03/25/2025

Closing Date

5/25/2025 11:59 PM Central

Position Description


If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.


About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.


Position Overview:

The Client Service Specialist, Dental Assistant manage client registration and financial transactions, provide comprehensive chairside dental assistance, handle appointment scheduling and telephone inquiries, and prepare operatory setups. Individuals in this role will be responsible for maintaining patient records, ensuring infection control and equipment maintenance, and supporting patient education and community outreach initiatives.


Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Conducts client intake, screenings, and eligibility assessments, and registers clients according to established procedures.
  • Collects co-payments, generates receipts, and prepares daily/weekly financial reconciliation reports for submission to the finance department.
  • Performs all necessary chairside dental assisting duties, including taking and recording vital signs, capturing prescribed dental radiographs, and intraoral photographs, and documenting patient diagnoses in the Dentrix electronic dental record as directed by the dentist.
  • Handles telephone inquiries from clients and others by screening calls to determine their nature and urgency.
  • Schedules appointments with dental clinical staff, instructs patients as needed regarding the visit type, and confirms and updates appointment statuses in the Dentrix electronic record.
  • Prepares the operatory for each dental patient, including placing barriers on high-touch areas and prepping instruments and dental materials according to the planned procedure.
  • Follows infection control protocols and sterilizes instruments according to dental policies and procedures.
  • Offers oral hygiene and post-operative care instructions to patients under the guidance of the dentist.


Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalency

Experience:

  • Six months experience in a dental clinical setting as a dental assistant

Licensure/Certification:

  • Texas Registered Dental Assistant
  • Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
  • Valid Texas Driver's License upon hired

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Ability to work well with public and staff members
  • Must use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

  • Understands the organizational mission
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

Collaboration

  • Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs

Innovation

  • Ability to adapt to change

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
  • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
  • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
  • Uses sound judgment
  • Self-motivated
  • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

Communication

  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

N/A

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

  • Full Time | Regular |
  • Monday through Friday | 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.; However, times may vary due to the variability of an event-based schedule
  • Other days and hours as necessary; possible work weekends and evenings.

Work Environment:   

  • This job operates in both a clinical environment as well as in alternative community-based settings including mobile dental events in different locations throughout Harris County.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and scanners.

Physical Demands:

  • Must possess the physical ability and manual dexterity to assist the dentist and dental hygienist with direct patient care in a dental clinical setting. Manually set up and tear down equipment as the mobile clinic requires.

Work Location:

  • Mobile Dental Team
  • Primary Reporting Address: 7457 Harwin Drive, Suite 324, Houston, TX 77036
  • This position is part of the Mobile Dental Team, which requires travel to multiple community locations within Harris County, as directed. Applicants must be flexible and willing to work at various locations.

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
 Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
 
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Wellness Plan
  • Life Insurance 
  • Long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
    • Accrual rates increase based on years of service
  • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Healthcare Reimbursement Account
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
  • Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedule (varies by department)
  • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
 
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • N/A; No Degree
02
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in a dental clinical setting as a dental assistant (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
  • Less than six (6) months.
  • Six (6) months or more.
  • I do not have this experience
03
Please provide details about your verifiable experience related to experience in a dental clinical setting as a dental assistant. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
04
Which of the following best describes your Registered Dental Assistant status in Texas?
  • I have an active, unrestricted registration in Texas.
  • My registration in Texas is expired or restricted.
  • I am registered but not in Texas.
  • I am not a Registered Dental Assistant.
05
Do you currently hold an active Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification or a CPR certification?
  • Yes, I currently hold a Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification.
  • Yes, I currently hold a CPR.
  • Yes, I currently hold both.
  • N/a; No certificates
06
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire). Do you have a Valid Driver's License?
  • I have a valid Texas driver’s license.
  • I have a valid driver’s license from another state but can obtain a Texas license upon hire.
  • I do not have a valid driver’s license.

Required Question

Employer
Harris County
Address
1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone
713-274-5445