Dental Assistant

Full Job Description

The Dental Assistant at this level is considered at the full performance level, with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with supervision from the Lead Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant Supervisor, Dental Hygiene Supervisor, Deputy Chief, Staff Dentist or Service Chief.

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.

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).

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).

Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.

This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment.

Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable 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, and is required for all positions above 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.

GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience.

At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level GS-5 that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

Example: Responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post- operative instructions; maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using the concepts of four- handed dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs. 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. Preferred Experience: At least one year of dental assisting experience preferred. CDA and/or EFDA preferred.

Radiology Certification preferred. 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-6.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting & carrying (under 15 lbs); Use of fingers on both hands required; Walking & Standing (6 hrs); Both legs required (1 prosthetic), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid (permitted).

Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Dental assistant at the full performance level have advanced knowledge of instruments, materials and techniques used in the general and specialty regimens in dentistry.

They also have advanced knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and infection control standards for clinical and laboratory operations.

Duties: Shows courtesy, respect, and positive attitude for Veterans, co-workers and the public. Provide assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit, dental equipment and countertops 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 VA mandatory infection control protocols. Assists in routine general procedures using concepts of four handed dentistry.

Assist in specialized dental procedures. Dental Imaging Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization. Clerical Functions. Information Management. Patient Safety. Employee Education.

Dental Laboratory Functions. Direct Patient Care. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm.

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 #: 24116-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized