Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Top End Oral Health Service
Job title Principal Dental Assistant Designation Technical 6
Job type Full time Duration Fixed from 15/02/2026 to 11/06/2027
Salary $113,509 - $118,842 Location Darwin
Position number 24835 RTF Closing 04/01/2026
Contact officer Missy Munro on or
About the agency
Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the
OCPE website.
Primary objective
Provide expert advice on matters relating to dental assisting and infection control to the Leadership team and provide professional
leadership for Dental Assistants (DAs) across the Top End Northern Territory.
Key duties and responsibilities:
1. Plan, evaluate and report on the service delivery of dental assistants in accordance with legislative requirements, national and
international best practice, current NT Government strategies and departmental policies.
2. Provide high-level strategic advice to the development of work unit plans, divisional business plans, and key performance indicators.
3. Represent the workforce issues and professional interests of Senior Dental Assistants (SDAs) and DAs across the Top End in service
development, implementation, and evaluation.
4. Support the delivery of Certificate III in Dental Assisting through onsite practical training to guarantee a sustainable, and qualified
workforce.
5. Initiate and monitor through, key performance indicators and auditing, contemporary infection control protocols to ensure compliance
with Accreditation, ADA, and Top End Health Service standards.
6. In collaboration with SDAs and senior management develop, implement, and evaluate orientation and induction programs appropriate
to specific SDA and DA positions across the NT.
7. Effectively manage allocated cost centre/budget; ensuring the work unit operates within the budget framework.
8. Provide high-level support and advice to the Director and Leadership team at TEOHS as well as senior staff.
9. Lead, coordinate, and evaluate quality improvement activities and projects for DAs.
10. Manage complex complaints and incident processes relating to dental assistants.
11. Lead and manage the Dental Assistant team working in urban, rural, and remote settings with responsibility for staff recruitment and
retention, professional development, and workforce planning.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Certificate III in Dental Assisting.
2. Demonstrated experience in team leadership, providing advice, support, and direction.
3. Extensive experience in the provision of dental assisting including urban, regional, rural, and remote setting and in outreach delivery.
4. Experience in dental assisting with good knowledge of procedures and legislation relating to the delivery of dental services.
5. Demonstrated high-level interpersonal and leadership skills and comprehensive knowledge of contemporary issues impacting on dental
assisting services.
6. Demonstrated experience with HR conflict resolution, change management and project management.
7. Experience in preparing reports, problem solving, providing strategic support and advice.
8. Ability to work within a cross-cultural environment and ability to interact effectively with people from diverse cultures.
Desirable
1. Certificate IV Training and Assessment or willingness to obtain.
2. Certificate IV in Dental Assisting or equivalent experience of 10 years plus.
Further information
Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and
criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. For
immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or
body substances), check with contact person for requirements.