Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Full Job Description

Dental assistants at this level serve as Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant.

For all positions above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time.

Higher-level assignments cover greater scope, complexity and variety and require advanced clinical skills. The incumbent also performs the full rage of duties for routine patient care.

Incumbents must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certifications.

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: Experience - 6 months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.

OR Education - Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

OR Experience/Education Combination - Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying Certification: Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry.

OR Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense.

AND Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is required for this position May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

In addition to this experience, the applicant must also demonstrate the following technical KSAs Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g.

cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc). Preferred Experience: Prior LVAHCS Dental Experience. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable but not required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary but involves fine motor movements when assisting.

Typically, the employee sits at a desk or table or on adjustable stool in the treatment room with some walking and standing as patients are seated or clean and dirty dental instruments area.

Items carried are typically light objects and lifting of moderately heavy objects is not normally required. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to the following: Gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting of existing conditions, placing of rubber dam and matrices, selecting shades, placing retractions cord, placing and removing temporary restorations, fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from spragingival surfaces.

In addition, the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses.

Dental Imaging: Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone, beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.).

Infections Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.

Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Follow all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment.

Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinic care is not delayed. Demonstrates proper infection-control in exposing images.

Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule die to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress note.

Assists dentist in charting finding and treatment plans in patients record. Patient Safety: Modifies care as appropriate for 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 training se Direct Patient Care: Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery.

Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site. Applies topical fluoride. Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.

Removes plaques and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 30926F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized