Dental Assisting Program Director

Dental Assisting Program Director: West Virginia Junior College/East Ohio College

Reports to: Academic Dean, or Campus President in the Academic Dean's absence

Position focus: Program leadership, student success, certification, externships, placement, and compliance

Position Summary
West Virginia Junior College / EOC is seeking a Dental Assisting Program Director to lead the program in coordination with the Academic Dean and Campus President. The Program Director is responsible for managing the program effectively, competently, and efficiently while advancing institutional standards for student retention, certification, externship performance, graduate placement, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall program effectiveness.

Primary Responsibilities
• Lead the Dental Assisting program and coordinate its day-to-day academic and operational activities.
• Meet or exceed institutional retention standards through academic and personal coaching, strong student relationships, curriculum improvement, online course maintenance, and participation in retention meetings.
• Meet or exceed certification examination participation and pass-rate standards through student coaching, certification preparation, curriculum enhancement, and participation in certification meetings.
• Manage program externships by helping establish and maintain affiliate sites, assisting with student placement, setting expectations, monitoring progress, and evaluating the externship experience.
• Support strong participation and satisfaction among students, graduates, externship affiliates, and employers.
• Meet or exceed placement standards through career coaching, relationship building, curriculum enhancement, and coordination with the Career Management Department.
• Teach courses within the program as assigned.
• Maintain an active and effective Program Advisory Board.
• Develop, maintain, and implement a current Program Effectiveness Plan.
• Participate in meetings, professional development, and in-service activities as directed.
• Maintain high ethical and professional standards and comply with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

Required Qualifications
• Associate degree or higher in related field.
• Graduation from an accredited program recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in the specialty field or subject area in which the individual will teach.
• At least three years of full-time occupational experience.
• Current Dental Assistant registration or certification through a nationally recognized and accredited certifying agency, or current licensure as a dentist with proficiency in four-handed and/or six-handed dentistry principles.

Preferred Qualification
• Previous teaching experience.

Knowledge Skills and Attributes
• Strong computer skills and the ability to work effectively with online course platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• A student-centered and customer-service-oriented approach.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with students, colleagues, externship affiliates, employers, and community partners.

Our Purpose and Values
WVJC's purpose is to empower change by creating opportunity. Team members support that purpose through hard work, integrity, professionalism, care, accountability, strong relationships, and a commitment to excellent results.

Additional Information
The position may be co-managed when necessary to satisfy applicable qualification requirements. Responsibilities may be adjusted or expanded by management to support operational effectiveness across departments, campuses, and the organization.

The Institution prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Notice of non-discrimination is located at www.wvjc.edu. Individuals who are residents of or living in the following States are Ineligible for Employment

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