Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Summary Dental Assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and performs some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. The Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

Customer Service - Shows curtesy, respect, and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public - Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting - Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover - Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently - Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissue effectively and comfortably - Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions - Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols - Assists in routine general dental procedures - Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics.

Dental Imaging - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed - Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes and minimized - Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.

Direct Patient Care - Remove sutures - Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication - Remove temporary crown or bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris - Recement and fabricate temporary crowns - Coronal polishing of teeth - Place rubber dams and matrix bands - Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Control and Equipment Sterilization - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories - Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.

Dental Lab Functions - Pours impressions and prepares study models if needed - Performs other laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Clerical Functions - Assists patients in scheduling appointments - Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancelations and failed appointments - Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

Information Management - Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information - Follows computer security regulations.

Patient Safety - Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) - Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients - Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements - Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Employee Education - Complies with Employee Education requirements - Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.

Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday

Compressed / Flexible : Authorized

Telework : Not Authorized

Functional Statement # : 54843-A

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report : Not required

Requirements Conditions of Employment :

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background / security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications : Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements :

United States Citizenship : Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. (3) Experience / Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field.

Grade Determinations : GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs.

Physical Requirements : Light lifting and carrying, use of both hands, fingers, reaching above shoulders, walking, standing, sitting, depth perception, rapid mental and muscular coordination.

Education IMPORTANT : A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.