U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring: Dental Assistant in Village of Ba

Overview

The Dental Assistant performs a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures associated with restorative, prosthetic, periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery, implant placement and restoration procedures and provides chairside assistance using four-handed techniques. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and cleans the dental unit for timely turnover.

Responsibilities

• Chairside assisting during intra-oral dental procedures across restorative, prosthetic, periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery, and implant care, anticipating the dentist’s needs for instruments, materials, and services.
• Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and ensure timely turnover of the dental unit.
• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Fabricate temporary crowns and bridges, ensuring typing and anatomical compatibility with patient dentition.
• Triages dental emergencies for immediate evaluation and coordinates with appropriate clinical staff.
• Triages medical emergencies as needed and performs administrative processing; initiates codes in unusual situations when required.
• Operate dental imaging equipment and ensure diagnostic-quality images with safe techniques to minimize retakes.
• Provide patient-centered care and effective communication, including post-operative instructions and preventive education.
• Maintain infection control, sterilize instruments, and manage instrument transfer to sterilization as required.
• Assist in scheduling and administrative tasks, manage prescription-related and charting duties, and maintain supply levels.
• Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA and follow applicable information security practices.
• Monitor patient safety during treatment and adjust positioning as needed; ensure patient identification and time-out procedures per Joint Commission requirements.
• Engage in patient education on dental care, nutrition related to dental health, and care of prosthodontic appliances.
• Perform laboratory functions such as pours and trims of study models and preparation of dental materials within scope.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: United States
• Experience or Education: Six months of experience performing or becoming familiar with dental assisting work, or completion of a one-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program
• Certification: Radiologic proficiency as required (various pathways listed); radiographic credentialing is required per regulations; basic life support certification is desirable
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English
• Background and security: Subject to background/security investigation; may require pre-employment physical examination
• Onboarding and identification: Online onboarding and acceptable ID documents; Real ID compliance considerations

Education and Certification Details

• Education: Transcript required if using education to meet qualifications; foreign education must include an equivalence certificate if used for qualification
• Radiologic Competence: Successful completion of appropriate radiology credentialing programs or DoD/state boards’ approved programs; if non-certified, temporary appointment may be offered under specific VA provisions
• Certification Preferences: DANB certification is highly desirable for certain levels

Title and Grade Information

• Service level ranges from GS-3 to GS-6 depending on experience and education; full performance level is GS-6 with the appropriate KSAs

References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part 2; see official VA qualification standards for details.