Tribal Dental Health Aide Manager at Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board – Portland, Oregon

About the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)

The Northwest Tribes have long recognized the need to exercise control over the design and development of health care delivery systems in their local communities. To this end, they formed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (also referred to as NPAIHB or “the Board”) in 1972.

Guided by a vision of “Health and Wellness for the Seventh Generation,” NPAIHB is a 501(c)3 designated (non-profit) organization and Tribal organization, P.L. 93-638, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) serving the 43 federally recognized Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Northwest Tribes). Tribes become voting members of the Board through resolutions passed by their governing body. Each member Tribe designates a delegate to serve on the NPAIHB Board of Directors.

Led by our Board of Directors, NPAIHB’s mission is to “eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services.” We have a staff of over 120 professionals dedicated to advancing Tribal health for the 7th generation in the Pacific Northwest.

The NPAIHB’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030 can be found here.

Job Title: DHA Manager

Reports to: Pamela Ready

Salary Range: $72,000 – 75,000 annually

Benefits: Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance, Retirement Contributions, PTO, and Paid Holidays

Funded Through: December 31, 2026

Classification: Salaried

Status: Full-Time 1 FTE

Location: Portland, OR, Remote

Position Summary

The Dental Health Aide (DHA) Manager will work in collaboration with the Tribal Community Health Provider Program (TCHPP) to continue the development and implementation of the Dental Health Aide Program (DHAP) within the overall Community Health Aide Program (CHAP). This position must possess a strong desire for advancing oral health equity and demonstrate the ability to provide culturally responsive care in tribal settings. The successful candidate will have experience working as a dental provider for tribal communities, experience as a dental educator, strong knowledge of current recommended practices in primary oral health care, including Minimally Invasive Care, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The position will include work involving program design, development, delivery, and implementation along participating in workgroups, committees and organizations that support the work of the Tribal Community Health Provider Program in the implementation of the Community Health Aide Program. The ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail is essential. Some in-state and national travel required.

The DHA Manager supports and coordinates with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s DHAP’s team of one, within the Tribal Community Health Provider Program (TCHPP) team of eight, public health professionals who work in the Portland Area to develop and implement the three disciplines of health aides within the Portland Area Community Health Aide Program.

The DHA Manager reports to the DHA Director. This scope of work is housed within the Clinical Division.

Local travel and/or overnight travel within the three-state region and outside the Portland Area is required approximately 30% of the time].

Essential Functions

Dental Health Aide Program Support and Success

· Provides DHA program support in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of the DHA Program; along with support in overall Community Health Aide Program functions, in alignment with NPAIHB Strategic Plan

· Develops partnerships with Tribes, educational institutions and additional beneficial partners in the delivery of the Dental Health Aide training and education program

· Plan and facilitate meetings with DHAP partners and committees

· In collaboration with DHA Program Director and NPAIHB Grants Management staff, search out and apply for new funding sources, including write funding proposals/grant applications

· In collaboration with DHA Program Director and NPAIHB Grants Management staff, manage grant activities, timelines, and write grant reports

· Prepare and deliver written reports and presentations related to CHAP and DHAP

· Participates in all NPAIHB DHAP related grant meetings and program discussions

· Participate in meetings, workgroups, and conferences as required to achieve DHAP and CHAP objectives

· Provides support to the TCHPP Committee meeting during the Quarterly NPAIHB Board of Directors Meeting (QBM)

· Conducts long-term and short-term research (including surveys, feasibility studies, and research studies) to guide CHAP and DHAP development, improvement of services, and development of Tribally based best practices for NW Tribes

· Supports the creation and implementation of capacity building and quality improvement strategies based on the needs and priorities of Northwest Tribes

· Carries out updated DHAP priorities throughout the year, as directed by Northwest Tribes, and through the NPAIHB Strategic Planning process and/or annual federal and state policy priorities

· Works closely with supervisor to support the identification of Northwest, federal, and state policy priorities related to DHAP

Additional Key Functions

Understand and demonstrate cultural humility and safety

Learn and maintain current knowledge of all requirements, standards and procedures related to all levels of Dental Health Aides (DHAs) within the CHAP

Maintain knowledge of current standard of care and recommended practices for oral health care in the scope of each DHA level

Maintain understanding of current laws, rules, regulations, and policies related to all levels of dental professions within the Portland Area

Deliver dental career pathway education programs for youth

Teach all dental education courses, both didact and clinical, in an appropriate and engaging manner

Provide primary support and guidance for community members identified as potential DHAs, and for current and former DHA students

Perform site visits and staff training sessions for tribal dental clinics partnered with the DHAP

Provide awareness to tribal communities about the CHAP program in the form of presentations, infographics, site visits, career fairs, emails, phone calls, etc.

With the approval of the supervisor, attend trainings as needed to improve skills that enhance overall capabilities related to job performance

Prepare a weekly report of task assignments and share during weekly team calls

Administrative and Reporting Functions

· Manages the preparation and submission of all required project reports within the Clinical Division /DHAP

· Drafts project-related external contracts

· Engages staff in the collection of pertinent data to meet reporting requirements

· Supports budget expenditures through partnership with staff to ensure projects remain on budget and compliant with the funding requirements of granting agencies

· Provide additional administrative support to the DHA Program Director on project related activities

· Reviews activity reports for NPAIHB Delegates (for Quarterly and ad hoc Board Meetings), the Deputy Director, eMar, and funding agencies

· Maintains an organized electronic filing system

· Maintains up to date DHAP website information

Supervisory Responsibilities

· As the DHA Team grows, supervise additional program coordinators and/or specialist DHAP staff, including assisting with hiring, preparing performance evaluations, reviewing work plans, and assigning and reviewing new projects

· Prepares and manages contracts and workload with outside consultants

· Evaluates and coaches the performance and expectations of all staff and contractors, including identifying and coordinating training and professional development needs

· Ensures that staff and contractors are following organizational policies, procedures, and directives, and requirements of NPAIHB partnering agencies and other relevant parties

· Completes staff performance evaluations within 30 days of employee’s anniversary date, and within 30 days of the completion of employee’s six-month probationary period (as applicable)

· Works in collaboration with Executive Director and Human Resources on staff disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Program Operations Manual

Other Duties

· Performs other duties as assigned by the DHA Director and/or Executive Director or designee

Standards of Conduct

· Act in service to the Tribes and Tribal communities we serve

· Uphold the Mission, Values, and Vision of the NPAIHB

· Maintain the highest level of confidentiality with all NPAIHB information and documentation

· Consistently exhibit professional behavior and a high degree of personal and professional integrity and impartiality appropriate to the responsible and confidential nature of the position

· Exercise good judgment and initiative in performance of duties and responsibilities

· Demonstrate high emotional intelligence in the performance of all duties and responsibilities

· Orientation toward learning, innovation, service, and the building of second-line leadership

· Commitment to building an organizational culture which centers NPAIHB’s service to Tribes, promotes professional excellence, and builds an environment where employees grow and thrive

· Commitment to build an inclusive workplace across a range of identities and experiences, including (but not limited to) geography, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, language, disability, religion, spiritual practices, and immigration status

· Sees diversity as a strength, and equity as a baseline

· Work in a cooperative manner with all levels of management and with all NPAIHB staff

· Effectively plan, organize workload, and schedule time to meet workload demands

· Use reasonable judgment to consistently display professional work attire during normal business hours, and/or dress appropriately for the workday, space, or event in lieu of a formal dress code

· Be present, available, and responsive for meetings and calls during regular working hours

· Commit to sharing knowledge and building expertise by participating in all virtual spaces in our workplace with cameras on

· Show consideration by communicating effectively and building collective understanding

· Recognize that relationships are the cornerstone of NPAIHB’s work by treating all NPAIHB delegates/alternates, partners, staff, and American Indian/Alaska Native people with dignity and respect

· Participate willingly in NPAIHB activities

Qualifications

Education

Minimum education required:

· Certification or licensure as a dentist, dental health aide therapist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist

Experience

Minimum experience required:

· Three to five years of experience practicing in their field

· At least six months of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics

· Knowledge of working with minimally invasive dentistry and noninvasive dentistry techniques

· At least one year as an instructor in a dental field

Additional experience preferred:

· Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes

· Knowledge or experience in the Community Health Aide Program and/or the Portland Area Community Health Aide Program Certification Board Standards and Procedures as it relates to DHA practice, training, and certification

· Development of dental related curriculum

· Preparing written reports

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Demonstrate knowledge, discretion, tact, judgment, and overall ability in working effectively with federal, Tribal, and other professionals, and facilitating participation and partnership in the activities of the Clinical Division TCHPP and DHAP

· Learn and maintain knowledge of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and Federal Community Health Aide Program Regulatory Structure, including the Standards and Procedures

· Proficiency with computer applications (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office Suite programs)

· Strong technical writing skills, including good spelling and grammatical skills, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline

· Proficiency in research skills

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context

· Ability to work with minimal supervision, exercise initiative, and make independent decisions and recommendations

· Ability to make professional oral presentations in settings at the national, regional, and community levels, as well as in Tribal settings

· Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner

· Ability to travel occasionally (approximately 30% of the time)

Probationary Period

External applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period during which time their employment can be terminated at will. For the purpose of evaluating job performance, internal applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period when job duties change significantly.

Worksite Location

NPAIHB generally requires employees to work in its main office, located in Portland, OR. Under certain circumstances, however, the NPAIHB may allow employees to work from home, on a case-by-case basis. The Executive Director, the employee’s direct supervisor, or the employee may suggest teleworking as a possible work arrangement. NPAIHB considers circumstances such as, but not limited to, whether the employee is organized, has proven their ability to work independently, has completed their probationary period, has a good work record, has no record of abuse of leave, the duties and responsibilities of their position, travel requirements, funding source stipulations, and other considerations.

Telework is not an entitlement, nor a Board-wide benefit. NPAIHB retains discretion to withdraw, alter, modify, cancel, or otherwise terminate an employee’s eligibility for telework on a case-by-case basis, in its sole discretion.

Work Conditions

Physical Demands

This position:

· Frequently involves sedentary work (exerting up to 10 pounds of force and/or a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body)

· Occasionally involves light work (exerting up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force and/or a negligible amount of force to move objects)

Physical Requirements

This position:

· Consistently requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly

· Constantly requires working with fingers, rather than the whole hand or arm

· Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

· Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks

· Occasionally requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time

· Occasionally requires ascending or descending stairs or ramps using feet and legs and/or hands and arms

· Occasionally requires raising objects from a lower to a higher position, or moving objects horizontally

· Occasionally requires stooping, which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles

· Infrequently requires crouching

Typical Environmental Conditions

The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions, which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.

Travel Requirements

Local travel and/or overnight travel outside of the area is required approximately 30% of the time.

Disclaimer

The individual must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Except as provided by Title 25, U.S.C. § 450e(b), which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the NPAIHB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, genetic information, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law.

Apply online at: https://ats.rippling.com/npaihb/jobs

The pay range for this role is:72,000 - 75,000 USD per year(Portland, OR )