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

Overview

Dental Assistants have the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site. Dental assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Responsibilities

• Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; assists customers with questions or concerns.
• Patient Care: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures; possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures; assists in routine general dental procedures using four-handed dentistry; passes instruments safely; keeps operative field clear; prepares dental medicaments and impression materials; performs intra-operative infection control; monitors patient vital signs during treatment; applies topical anesthetic; takes and pours impressions; provides patient education and post-operative instructions; assists in specialized dental procedures; fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; maintains dental equipment; relays patient concerns to the treating dentist.
• Dental Imaging: Identifies normal anatomy; exposes standard and/or specialty imaging in traditional or digital formats; adjusts settings to meet provider requests; captures diagnostically-quality images; follows imaging safety techniques to minimize retakes; completes imaging requests in a timely manner.
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Performs infection control in operatories; disinfects oral appliances; prepares instruments for sterilization; follows standard operating procedures for reusable medical equipment; collaborates with SPS to ensure instrument availability; adheres to infection-control procedures in imaging.
• Clerical and Information Management: Assists in filling gaps in the schedule; initiates computerized progress notes; assists with charting findings and treatment plans; maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA and follows computer security regulations.
• Patient Safety and Education: Adapts care for patient age and abilities; provides clear instructions; participates in patient identification and time-out per Joint Commission requirements; monitors patient condition; provides patient education related to procedures and oral hygiene.
• Employee Education: Complies with mandatory training requirements.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4pm

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases; higher step rate may be determined based on qualifications or special needs.
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual leave and sick leave plus federal holidays; credit toward annual leave accrual may be available based on prior experience.
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days, eligible employees may receive up to 25% of childcare costs up to monthly maximum, subject to income limits.
• Retirement and Insurance: Federal pension and 401K; federal health/vision/dental/ life/long-term care insurance options.
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selected applicants may be subject to urinalysis; selective service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959; proficiency in English; background/security investigation; online onboarding; and pre-employment requirements including I-9 verification.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation and participate in influenza vaccination program per department policy.
• Complete all application requirements as specified in the announcement.

Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date. Basic requirements include:

• United States citizenship (non-citizens may be appointed where recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible).
• Education/Experience: Six months of experience or a CODA-accredited one-year dental assistant program; combinations are qualifying.
• Radiologic Certification: Certification standards for radiologic procedures as required; DIG compliance may be required; DANB certification is highly desirable but not required for all levels.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations

The full performance level is GS-6; the vacancy may be filled at GS-3 to GS-6 with appropriate experience and KSAs as described in the announcement.

Physical requirements: moderate and light lifting, standing, bending, fine motor skills, near vision, hearing; environment may involve exposure to radiation.

Note: Education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires certification of equivalency.

Additional information: This job opportunity may be used to fill additional vacancies; this position is in the Excepted Service. VA encourages applicants with disabilities. If unable to apply online, contact the agency for an alternate method. The Fair Chance Act: criminal history inquiries occur after tentative offers; vaccination policies apply.