Dental Assistant

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 26 - 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 1 - 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English

Experience and Education - To fulfill this requirement - you must meet one of the following: Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates your 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: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75

You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in this 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)

OR - 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

(This is applicable for grade levels 3/4/5/6 of this series.) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable

Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

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

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)

Grandfathering Provision

All Dental Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (04/19/2011) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Dental Assistants grandfathered under this provision may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions

Such employees must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels

Dental Assistants who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard

Dental Assistants initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation

If a Dental Assistant who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations: GS-06 Dental Assistant GS-06 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-06 - you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level

GS-05 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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

GS-05 Assignment: Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures

Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist

Duties

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions under direct supervision

Your duties will be necessary to assist the dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions with direct supervision

Duties include - but not limited to: A

Customer Service Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public

Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns and provides service recovery

B

Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory 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

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

C

Dental Imaging Accomplishes imaging requests within the desired time frame

D

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories

Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization

Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

E

Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments

Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments

Assists dentists in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

F

Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIP AA with written and verbal information

Follows computer security regulations

G

Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)

Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients

Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements

Monitors patient condition during treatment being alert for signs of physical distress

H

Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements

Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions

I

Dental Laboratory Functions Coordination of Dental Laboratory cases with the doctor and the laboratory technician

Coordinate scheduling issues with MSA's - doctors and laboratory technicians

Pours up impressions - trimming cases and packaging cases for shipping

Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow as directed by Dentist.

K

Direct Patient Care Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

4-Handed dental procedures assisting the dentist

Works directly supporting the GS 7 expanded Dental Assistants and Hygienist during patient care

Chairside assistant to all specialty provers

Cleans & polishes or dental appliances/prosthetics

Cementation of dental prostheses with temporary cement

Removal of cement after cementation procedures

Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site and topical fluoride

Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

Removes plaque and soft debris from removable appliances

Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 6:30am - 3:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 56253F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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