The American Dental Hygienists' Association is hiring: Dental Assistant (NHS) in

Summary

This position is an instrumental part of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) Dental Service and is expected to perform at a full performance level Dental Assistant - GS-0681-06. This position provides overall support to the service in an effort to provide optimum care to our Veterans. This position is located: North West San Antonio VA Clinic.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• 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 that demonstrates the applicant's 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
• 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 - and is required for all positions above the full performance level
• Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame - or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• 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)

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist

• Performs assigned selected procedures with some independence
• Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor
• Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• Customer Service: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public
• Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Dental Imaging: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures when exposing images
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories
• Administrative Functions: Identifies scheduling gaps in the dentist's clinics and assists MAS with filling gaps
• Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)