Dental Assistant

Full Job Description

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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. Six 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). 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.

Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., OR 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 (DoD).

Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants.

DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level. English Language Proficiency.

Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Dental Assistants: GS-3 Experience or Education.

None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience or Education.

In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)].

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. 2.

Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies. 3. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. 4.

Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. 5. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.

GS-5 Experience or Education In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.

In addition to meeting paragraph (1) or (2) above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.

Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.

Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.

GS-6 - Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.

Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.

Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.

Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.

Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.

Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.

Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. 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-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions: a. Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.

Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. b. 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 tissues 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, and periodontics. c.

Dental Imaging Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed.

Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. d.

Infection 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. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. e. Clerical Functions . Assists patients in scheduling appointments.

Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. f.

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

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. h.

Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements and completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. i. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models.

Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. j.

Direct Patient Care .Suture Removal Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available at the discretion of Dental Chief and Clinic Operations Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized