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

Overview

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care with the ability to perform the full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties and clerical functions, with indirect supervision from the dentist or supervisor. Duties will be performed in the Dental Clinic.

Responsibilities

• Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.
• Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 for patients. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer\'s instructions. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general dental procedures and in specialized procedures such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics.
• Dental Imaging: Produces images of diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed. Uses imaging safety techniques to minimize retakes. Fulfills imaging requests within the required time frame.
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory. Prepares instruments for sterilization according to SPS standards and in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates infection control procedures in exposing images.
• Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments and helps fill gaps in the doctor\'s schedule due to cancellations. Assists the dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
• Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.
• Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient\'s age and abilities; provides accurate and understandable instructions. Participates in patient identification and time-out per Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, including vital signs during moderate sedation and recovery as applicable.
• Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements and completes mandatory annual safety training.
• Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models; handles gypsums and waxes; makes final denture impression trays and bite rims; fabricates custom trays; performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.
• Direct Patient Care: Assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic and prosthodontic procedures and implant placement/restoration; anticipates surgeons\' needs at each stage of treatment.

Work Environment and Schedule

Work Schedule: 0745-1615. Telework: Not Available. This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Primary duties performed in a clinical setting.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education and/or Experience: Six months experience demonstrating ability to perform the work, or successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association\'s CODA, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Certification: Radiologic credentialing per 42 CFR Part 75. Certification via the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination (DANB or state-recognized) or equivalent, with temporary appointment options where applicable. Certification in basic life support is highly desirable. DANB certification is desirable for appointment up to GS-6.

Additional Requirements:

• Compliance with loss of credential policy and grandfathering provisions as described in VA standards.
• Physical requirements as per VA directive; education verification with transcript required if education is used for qualification.
• Selected applicants may be subject to background/security investigations and online onboarding; pre-employment examinations may be required. COVID-19 vaccination is required for VA health care personnel where allowed by law; accommodations may be requested per law.

Experience Preferences: One year of dental assisting experience preferred.

Notes

The full performance level is GS-6; actual placement may range from GS-3 to GS-6 depending on experience and KSAs. This job announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.