Dental Assistant Apprentice

About the role

Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) seeks a Part-time/Full-time Dental Assistant Apprentice to join a team dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness. The ideal candidate is a team player with prior clinic or hospital experience working with underserved populations, demonstrates compassion and understanding of the diverse issues faced by this population, and thrives in a rotating schedule that includes outreach work in the field and clinic-based duties. AHCH operates from a harm‑reduction, trauma‑informed, holistic care model, connecting patients to resources within and outside the organization. The organization offers to cover Dental Assistant Training costs for candidates who commit to two years of employment (prorated if the commitment is not fulfilled) and ensures compliance with OSHA and CDC PPE guidelines. This is a part‑time, non‑exempt position.

Responsibilities

• Perform dental assistant duties in both clinic and outreach settings
• Work rotating schedules between field outreach and clinic work
• Provide patient care using harm‑reduction and trauma‑informed approaches
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to connect patients to internal and external resources
• Assist multiple providers in a complex healthcare environment
• Maintain adherence to OSHA and CDC PPE protocols

Requirements

• Background in customer service or dental (e.g., MA, CNA, DA, etc.)
• High School Diploma or GED
• Flexibility to work with multiple providers
• Ability to thrive in a complex healthcare setting

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited dental assistant program with current X‑ray certification
• Experience working with underserved populations or people experiencing homelessness
• Knowledge of harm reduction and trauma‑informed philosophies
• Bilingual or Spanish speaking

Benefits

• Low‑cost medical, vision, and dental insurance with health club membership
• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment fully paid by the organization
• Long Term Disability fully paid by the organization
• Paid Time Off – 24 days in the first year of employment
• Catastrophic Sick Time accrual
• 7 Paid holidays
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with employer match
• Student loan forgiveness eligible
• All benefits begin the month after hire
• Dental Assistant Training costs covered in exchange for a 2‑year employment commitment (prorated if commitment not fulfilled)

Schedule

Part‑time or full‑time position with rotating schedules that include outreach work in the field and clinic‑based duties.