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

Overview

Dental Assistant role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Base pay range and summary information provided by VA. Actual pay based on skills and experience; talk with recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$44,949.00/yr - $58,445.00/yr

Summary

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.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy
• Basic Experience and/or Education
• Experience: Six months 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) OR Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• Certification-Documentation Submitted
• 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-Documentation Submitted: 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)
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series - and grade held - including certification
• Applies to current VHA employees only

• Preferred experience: General Chairside Assisting (GC) - Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) - Infection Control (ICE)
• Grade Determinations: Dental Assistant GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience
• At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality
• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement
• Basic knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA
• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol
• Technical KSAs: identify normal oral anatomy; advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures; monitor and interpret vital signs; provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral; capture standard and special dental images; perform maintenance on dental equipment; enter and retrieve data in electronic dental records; perform dental laboratory procedures
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• Major Duties: Assist the dentist in direct patient care; perform related clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• Chairside assisting: set up operatory/surgery suite, pass instruments, maintain sterile field, assist in routine general and specialized dental procedures, and manage infection control
• Dental imaging: expose standard and specialty dental images (TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, with appropriate safety measures
• Infection control and equipment sterilization: follow infection control procedures, prepare instruments for sterilization, coordinate with SPD to ensure instrument availability
• Clerical functions: assist in filling gaps in the schedule, document progress notes, chart findings and treatment plans
• Information management: maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA and follow computer security regulations
• Patient safety: monitor patient condition, provide instructions, participate in patient identification and time-out per Joint Commission requirements
• Employee education: complete mandatory safety training
• Dental laboratory functions: pour impressions, prepare study models, fabricate trays and mouth guards as time allows
• Direct patient care: monitor vital signs, apply topical anesthetic/fluoride, take impressions, remove debris, provide patient education
• Work schedule: Full time – 4 days, 10-hour shifts (6:30 am – 5:00 pm)

Benefits and schedule notes: Pay, paid time off, parental leave, retirement, insurance, telework (not available), and relocation details are specified by VA; refer to the full job posting for specifics.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Health Care Provider
• Industries: Government Administration