Dental Assistant Job at Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center (D

Overview

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) Dental Assistant, in the Dental service. The position is located at the Carl T. Hayden VA Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. The Dental Assistant reports to the Supervisory Dentist, Lead Dental Assistant, or Supervisory Dental Assistant. The incumbent performs a wide range of tasks from patient care, dental imaging, and sterilization procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Duties

• Assists patients, co-workers, and the public with courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude.
• Sets up operatory and surgery suite for planned dental procedure.
• Keeps operative field clear of debris, retracts oral tissues effectively, and ensures patient comfort.
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Performs intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Exposes standard and specialty dental imaging (TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• Follows Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment.
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment and recognizes signs of distress.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: U.S. citizens; non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, per VA policy.
• Experience and Education: Six months of experience in the field or an American Dental Association CODA-accredited one-year dental assistant program (transcripts must be submitted; conferral of degree should be shown on transcript). Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Certification: Radiologic credentialing as required by 42 CFR Part 75, including the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination or equivalent state/DoD-approved program. A copy of certification must be submitted with the application.

Grade Determination: GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance). Requires at least 1 year of experience and technical KSAs such as the ability to identify normal oral anatomy, knowledge of instruments/materials, ability to interpret vital signs, patient education, and radiographic imaging proficiency. Includes assignments at full performance level with some independence in assigned specialties and four-handed dentistry concepts.

Preferred Experience: Familiarity with digital impression taking, CAD/CAM design, and operating CAM milling machines for single-visit restorations.

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
• Successful completion of a drug screening may be required.
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Potential probationary period; background/security investigation; English proficiency; online onboarding; influenza vaccination program participation is required for all VA health care personnel.

Education

Education must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. If basing qualifications on education, provide transcripts; unofficial transcripts are acceptable for some steps. Transcript submission is required if education is used to meet qualifications.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/22/2025. Preview the questionnaire at the provided link and follow the steps to apply online, attach required documents, and submit your answers.

1. Click Apply Online to create/log in to a USAJOBS account and upload your resume and supporting documents.
2. Submit your answers to the occupational questionnaire.

Notes: Ensure all responses and documents are submitted prior to the closing date. You can check application status in USAJOBS. A virus scan of uploaded documents may take time; you may need to re-upload if necessary.

Agency contact information: Jonathan Stumpf, Phone: (602) 741-0960, Email: Jonathan.Stumpf@va.gov

Address: Carl T Hayden Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, 650 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012, US

Next steps

After submission, you will receive a confirmation by email. Applications are reviewed for qualification and eligibility; referred applicants are notified via email and may be contacted for an interview. Status can be checked in USAJOBS.

Benefits

A federal career offers a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility varies by position and employment type.