About this role
Location: Chula Vista, CA | Campus: On-Site
Type: Part-time (25 hours a week, Monday to Friday)
Compensation: $24.96 – $29.96 per hour
Position Summary
Are you a skilled Dental Assistant looking to add a rewarding instructional role to your professional toolkit? Pima Medical Institute is seeking a passionate professional to join our Chula Vista campus in a part-time role, Monday to Friday.
This short-term contract offers the perfect opportunity to step away from full-time clinic work, share your knowledge, and train the next generation of dental assistants using hands-on clinical techniques and pre-established curriculum. While this is initially a temporary assignment, there may be an option to transition into permanent openings later if they become available.
What You'll Do
- Mentor Future Pros: Guide and teach dental assisting students during daytime lectures and labs using hands-on techniques and real-world clinical experience.
- Support Student Success: Provide one-on-one advice, guidance, and clinical grading during class, helping students master technical skills.
- Maintain Safety: Enforce strict safety, OSHA, sanitation, and security standards in the dental lab and classroom environments.
- Coordinate Externships: Leverage your experience to assist in preparing students for successful placement at local clinical externship sites.
- Collaborate: Work alongside the campus Program Director and faculty team to ensure consistent classroom management and curriculum alignment.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education & Training: Graduation from an accredited Dental Assistant program recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education/CHEA, an otherwise recognized training entity (e.g., hospital-based program), or a foreign equivalent OR a minimum of three (3) years of job-related training and experience for those who are not graduates of an accredited program.
- Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of occupational (practical) experience in Dental Assisting.
- Clinical Skills: Proficiency in didactic and clinical four-handed and/or six-handed dentistry principles.
- Regulatory Awareness: General awareness of California state requirements governing dental assisting programs.
Required California Licenses & Certifications
- Nationally Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), or a licensed dentist (Licensed dentists are exempt from holding the CDA/RDA credential).
- Active California certifications in: Radiation Safety, Coronal Polishing, and Pit & Fissure Sealants.
- Current license, certification, or other credential required by local, state, or federal laws to work in the Dental Assistant field in California.
Required Educational Methodology Requirement: Must have completed a course or certification program in educational methodology of at least 30 hours, OR hold one of the following:
- Postgraduate degree in education
- Ryan Designated Subjects Vocational Education Teaching Credential
- Standard Designated Subjects Teaching Credential
- Community college teaching credential
Compensation & Employee Benefits
- Hiring Range: $24.96 to $29.96 per hour.
- ESOP: Company Shares (required to work 1000 hours a year)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)