Full Time Faculty, Dental Assisting Program Director

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

The Dental Assisting Program Director will oversee the administration, curriculum development, accreditation compliance, and day-to-day operations of the Dental Assisting program at Northwest Arkansas Community College. The Director will ensure the program meets academic and professional standards, fosters student success, and prepares graduates for a rewarding career in dental assisting.

Essential Duties:

Program Leadership and Management:

• Manage program budget, resources, and scheduling to support program objectives

• Collaborate with college administration, faculty, and advisory committees to align program goals with institutional priorities

Teaching and Student Support:

• Teach courses in the Dental Assisting program, as needed, ensuring high-quality instruction and student engagement

• Advise and mentor students regarding academic progress, career planning, and licensure requirements

• Facilitate student learning experiences, including laboratory sessions and clinical rotations

• Develop course curriculum, course handouts, lectures, labs, and presentations.

• Participate in program level learning assessment. Participation includes helping articulate learning outcomes, choosing and administering measures, evaluating student performance, and suggesting changes to improve student learning

• Work with other faculty and administrators in developing program curriculum, standards, and policies, including reviewing and participating in textbook selection process where appropriate

• Schedule, supervise, debrief, and evaluate students in clinical, internship, observation, field experience, and similar settings as appropriate for the course or program

• Be available to students via email, phone, or personal conferences. The method of contact and hours of availability should be clearly communicated to supervisors and to students through the course syllabus each semester

• Assign grades and maintain course/student records in accordance with FERPA regulations and submit grades and records by established deadlines

• Meet all classes and other scheduled responsibilities such as office hours and meetings at the designated times. A faculty member should inform the supervisor if he or she is unable to meet a class on time

• Keep a flexible weekly schedule that best facilitates student learning and access. Any changes in the scheduled class times or locations should have prior approval by the faculty's supervisor

• Examples of the various ways faculty keep flexible schedules to accommodate student learning from week to week could include:

  • Late night or early morning preparation of lab materials or activities

  • Organizing, rehearsing, and hosting musical or dramatic performances or other events

  • Arranging and conducting on-site clinical or internship experiences

  • Planning and supervising field trips

  • Keeping weekend and/or late night online office hours or online discussions

  • Conducting special review sessions outside of scheduled class times

  • Accommodating student make-up work

  • Spending extended periods grading exams or assignments to allow prompt feedback to students

• Participate in faculty evaluation process

• Remain current in academic or program discipline, including attending professional conferences, and maintaining licensure, certification, or continuing education requirements where appropriate

• Receive training or stay current in technological or pedagogical advances that promote student learning

Community and Industry Engagement:

• Maintain relationships with local dental practices, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to ensure program relevance and to secure clinical placement opportunities.

• Represent the program and college at local, state, and national meetings related to dental education.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure program compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies and regulations

• Prepare and submit required reports, such as accreditation updates, program outcomes, and licensure pass rates

• Monitor and maintain program records, including student achievements and employer satisfaction surveys

College Activities:

• Participate in college professional development activities

• The following are examples of what may be considered service to the college. Some of these may be required based on the nature of the program, division, or college policy

  • Help students achieve their educational goals through formal and/or informal advising

  • Post and keep on campus hours to facilitate interaction with students, other faculty, staff, administrators, and the public

  • Serve on standing and ad hoc committees, advisory boards, hiring committees, faculty senate, or as a student organization advisor

  • Attend local, regional, state, or national meetings where required or necessary for the discipline

  • Mentor and/or assist in orienting new faculty either formally or informally

  • Serve as a liaison for Early College Experience faculty

  • Attend commencement or other ceremonies appropriate to the faculty member's discipline or program

  • Attend departmental, divisional, and college-wide meetings

  • Perform other academically related duties as assigned by the instructor's supervisor

  • Participate in faculty business meetings and forums

• Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the department and college

Rate of pay: determined by faculty scale placement (education and years of experience)

Completed applications must be received by 5/1/2026 to receive full consideration. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates degree
• Current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• Minimum of three (3) years of full-time work experience in dental assisting, with one (1) year of teaching experience (classroom or clinical)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• 5 years teaching experience

Other job related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the qualifications review committee.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Should be able to work effectively with employees and all levels of leadership within the institution
• Must be proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Visio) and HRIS systems
• The successful candidate must be a self-starter who takes accountability for performance while requiring minimal supervision
• Must be able to handle highly confidential material efficiently and effectively
• Must possess strong time management, multi-tasking, and organizational skills
• Ability to build relationships with individuals and teams across the institution and campus
• Ability to analyze information and recommend appropriate action
• Knowledge of planning, research, and analysis techniques and procedures
• Knowledge of department, operations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to conduct research and perform quantitative quality assurance reviews
• Ability to research, prepare, and present comprehensive written and oral reports
• Ability to organize and conduct meetings and workshops
• Knowledge of state and federal personnel laws, policies, and procedures
• Must be able to report clear, concise and accurate ad-hoc reports to all levels of leadership

Physical Demands:

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• This position may require standing, sitting, and teaching in a classroom or clinical setting for extended periods.
• The candidate must be able to lift and move equipment used in dental procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk or hear; regularly required to reach with hands and arms, taste or smell; occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Environmental Conditions:

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.