U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring: Dental Assistant in Fort Meade

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.

Duties

• a. Customer Service
  • i. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public
  • ii. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery
• b. Chairside Assisting
  • i. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
  • ii. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently
  • iii. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
  • iv. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
  • v. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
  • vi. Assists in routine general dental procedures
  • vii. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics
• c. Dental Imaging
  • i. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed
  • ii. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized
  • iii. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time framed. Infection
• d. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization
  • i. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
  • ii. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards
  • iii. Complies with Reusable Medical Equipment requirements
  • iv. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care
  • v. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• e. Clerical Functions
  • i. Assists patients in scheduling appointments
  • ii. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
  • iii. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
  • iv. Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant
• f. Information Management
  • i. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
  • ii. Follows computer security regulations
• g. Patient Safety
  • i. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
  • ii. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
  • iii. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements
  • iv. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
  • v. Monitors patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximeter, pain control) and alerts dental provider if outside of normal limits
• h. Employee Education
  • i. Complies with Employee Education requirements
  • ii. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
• i. Dental Laboratory Functions
  • i. Pours impressions and prepares study models
  • ii. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
  • iii. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• j. Direct Patient Care
  • i. Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing
  • ii. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
  • iii. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris
  • iv. Recement and fabricate temporary crowns
  • v. Coronal polishing of teeth
  • vi. Place rubber dams and matrix bands
  • vii. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Work Schedule

Full-time; Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4pm

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

Requirements