Dental Assistant

Overview

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

Qualifications

• 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: Education
• Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR - Experience
• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work
• OR - 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
• Educational program that meets or exceeds the standards in 42 CFR Part 75 and is accredited by a DOE-recognized organization, and radiographer certification in the field
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - Inc.
• OR - (b) 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 - (c) 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 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D)
• Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This may result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment
• English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 to GS-6 qualifications described below

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Functions: Customer Service
• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns
• Chairside Assisting — Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 (e.g., oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontal surgery)
• Dental Imaging — Images are of diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed; imaging safety techniques are utilized and retakes are minimized
• Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization — Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories; instruments are prepared for sterilization by SPS standards; complies with Reusable Medical Equipment requirements; instruments are prepared in a timely manner
• Clerical Functions — Assists patients in scheduling appointments; helps fill gaps in the doctor’s schedule; assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records; acts as time-keeper, dental supply clerk, and local administrative assistant
• Information Management — Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA; follows computer security regulations
• Patient Safety — Modifies care as necessitated by patient age and abilities; provides accurate and understandable instructions; participates in patient identification and time-out per JCAHO requirements; monitors patient condition and vital signs; alerts dental provider if outside normal limits
• Employee Education — Complies with employee education requirements; completes mandatory annual safety training
• 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 allow
• Direct Patient Care — Removes sutures and periodontal dressing; takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication; removes temporary crown/bridge and cleans tooth preparation; recements and fabricates temporary crowns; coronal polishing; places rubber dams and matrix bands; provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Work Schedule: Full-time: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized