Dental Assistant Job at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Canandaigua

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Summary: 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, fully anticipating the dentist's needs for all instruments, materials, and services using four-handed techniques. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.

Responsibilities

• Chairside assisting: performs a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures and provides chairside assistance, fully anticipating the dentist's needs for all instruments, materials, and services using four-handed techniques.
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Performs a variety of techniques and skilled workmanship to complete placement of temporary crowns and bridges, considering dental anatomy to ensure functional compatibility with each patient.
• Triages dental emergencies requiring immediate evaluation and coordinates with appropriate clinical staff for veterans to be seen.
• Triages medical emergencies appropriately and coordinates with clinical staff; initiates necessary codes in unusual situations (e.g., cardiac arrest, psychiatric intervention).
• Fully performs complex intra-oral procedures such as fabricating temporary crowns and bridges to relieve the dentist of time-consuming tasks.

Dental Imaging

• Operates dental X-ray equipment for intra- and extra-oral radiographs with diagnostic-quality results.
• Applies dental imaging safety techniques and minimizes retakes.
• Completes imaging requests within the required timeframe and records images accurately in patient records.

Customer Service

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public.
• Assists customers with questions or concerns and performs service recovery when needed.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross-contamination.
• Debribes and decontaminates instruments, materials and equipment.
• Prepares instruments to avoid delaying clinical care and transfers them to sterilization as required.

Clerical Functions

• Assists patients in scheduling appointments, handles calls, and fills gaps in the dentist's schedule.
• Initiates computerized progress notes and records medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient.
• Assists in charting findings and treatment plans; maintains supply levels and communicates with logistics to order supplies when inventory is low.

Information Management

• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA and follows computer security regulations.

Patient Safety

• Adjusts patient position for safe transfer; provides clear instructions and participates in patient identification and time-out per Joint Commission requirements.
• Educates patients on preventive dental care, nutrition related to dental health, causes of tooth decay, and care of prosthodontic appliances; provides post-operative and other patient education.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment and looks for signs of distress.

Employee Education

• Complies with Employee Education requirements and completes mandatory annual safety training.

Dental Laboratory Functions

• Pours impressions, prepares and trims study models; makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and custom trays if needed.
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient Care

• Obtains patient vital signs as needed and participates in a range of clinical tasks including impressions and removal of temporary crowns/bridges.
• Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners, topical fluorides, and other agents prescribed by the dentist; provides patient education as appropriate.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday: 7:30am to 4:00pm. 25% travel between Rochester/Canandaigua. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

All applicants must meet the requirements of the position by the time the position closes.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA policy.
• Selection Eligible: Urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment for testing designated positions (refusal denied employment).
• Selective Service: Required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• English Proficiency: Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Probationary period may be required.
• Background/security investigation may be required.
• Pre-employment requirements: Online onboarding; acceptable forms of identification. REAL ID-compliant IDs required after May 7, 2025.
• Pre-employment physical examination may be required.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation is required for all VA health care personnel.

Education and Experience

Experience: Six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work, or familiarity with the work. OR Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Experience/education combinations are qualifying.

Certification

Public Law 97-35 requires credentialing standards for radiologic procedures. Certification as a radiographer is required or equivalent approved by state board/DoD. Temporary appointment options exist for non-certified applicants who meet eligibility for radiologic competence per 38 U.S.C. elevating to certification; DANB certification is highly desirable for advancement.

Language Proficiency

Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations

Information on how experience, education, and KSAs translate to GS grades is provided for reference. The full performance level is GS-6; actual placement may be GS-3 to GS-6 based on qualifications.

Notes

• Education transcript submission required if used for qualification.
• Foreign education must be documented with a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Additional information on benefits, leave, and eligibility is provided; this job may be used to fill additional vacancies and is in the Excepted Service.

For more information or to apply, contact the agency as listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.