About the role
The Orthodontic Clinical Training Specialist is the primary instructional lead responsible for the technical execution of the "Imagine Way". This role translates the Director’s clinical strategies into actionable orthodontic training modules, manages the 90-day clinical onboarding lifecycle, and provides real-time chairside coaching to correct technical deficiencies—such as wire management and bracket placement—identified through clinical audits.
What you'll do
Technical Instruction & Curriculum Delivery
- Educate clinical teams on the technical application of orthodontic procedures, including archwire changes, ligature ties, and digital impressions.
- Coordinate all regional orthodontic continuing education initiatives to maintain team technical proficiency.
- Serve as the central educational resource and advocate for new orthodontic tools, processes, and instructional resources.
Onboarding & Chairside Mentorship
- Execute the 90-day technical onboarding program for new Orthodontic Assistants (OAs), providing structured mentorship and chairside skill development.
- Conduct formal 30, 60, and 90-day competency evaluations, including "pass/fail" check-offs for orthodontic technical tasks.
- Provide leadership with objective recommendations regarding trainee clinical readiness and employment considerations based on technical merit.
- Act as the primary regional contact for real-time orthodontic troubleshooting and skill refinement.
QA Integration & Clinical Validation
- Collaborate with the Director to refine orthodontic protocols based on field feedback regarding appliance "ease of use".
- Deploy to specific studios as directed by the Director to retrain staff on orthodontic protocols where audit failures have occurred.
- Perform clinical assessments to validate staff completion of mandatory orthodontic safety training, including Radiation, OSHA, and CPR.
- Partner with the Director in the clinical selection process to ensure OA candidates align with the "Imagine Way" standards.
Qualifications
Minimum
- Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare, Education, or a related clinical field PLUS 3+ years of advanced orthodontic clinical experience.
Or
- Education & Experience: High School Diploma and equivalent PLUS 7+ years of elite orthodontic clinical experience (acting as an equivalent to formal education).
Orthodontic Clinical Experience
- Technical Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in orthodontic mechanics, digital workflows (e.g., Dolphin, STL scanning), and chairside efficiency.
- Instructional Ability: Proven experience in a training or clinical lead role with a focus on orthodontic skill development.
- Mobility: Reliable form of transportation for frequent regional travel to conduct training across multiple studio locations.
Additional Preferred
- Certifications: State-specific Dental Assistant registration or COA (Certified Orthodontic Assistant) credential.
- Linguistic: Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or other languages is a plus.