Dental Assistant Job at South Dakota Staffing in Sioux Falls

Dental Assistant

The dental assistant will be part of the Dental Service that provides restorative, endodontic, periodontal, removable and fixed prosthodontic, including implant restorative, and minor oral surgery procedures. The Dental Service is aligned under the Surgical/Specialty Care Service Line. Responsibilities duties include but are not limited to the following:

Chairside Assisting

Sets up operatory 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 impressions within standard infection control protocols

Assists in routine general dental procedures

Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics

Dental Imaging

Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed

Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized and retakes are minimized

Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired timeframe

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories

Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards

Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

Demonstrates skill/knowledge/ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to their assigned duties

Clerical Functions

Assists in patients in scheduling appointments

Assists in filling gaps in the doctors schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments

Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

Uses word processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files

Locates appointments and properly completes all dental laboratory cards/tracks all pending patient lab cases for use during patient

Patient Safety

Modifies care as necessitated by patients age and abilities

Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients

Employee Education

Complies with Employee Education requirements

Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions

Dental Laboratory Functions

Pours impressions and prepares study models

Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims

Direct Patient Care

Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing

Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

Coronal polishing of teeth

Applies topical fluoride

Care Coordination and Patient Management

Actively involved in the case planning process

Reviews scheduled patients medical records and initiates necessary precautions

Work Schedule

Monday-Thursday 7:30am to 5:00pm and Friday 7:30-4:00pm with alternating Fridays off

Telework

Not available

Functional Statement

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Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

May be authorized for highly qualified candidates

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not authorized

Requirements

Conditions of employment:

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

You may be required to serve a trial period.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Effective May 7, 2025, drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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 applicants ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.

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.

BLS: 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.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.

Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies.

Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval.

Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.

Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.

GS-5 Experience or Education In addition to the