Dental Assistant

Summary The Hampton VA Medical Center is looking for a Dental Assistant to join the team! The Dental Assistant assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. This position is located at the North Battlefield 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.

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

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)

English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part

Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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 persons employed in 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 (for positions above the full performance level) 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: (1) Such employees 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

(2) Employees 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

(3) Employees 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.(4) If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

Preferred Experience: In four handed dentistry as it relates to the dental care and treatment of veterans with compromised medical conditions

GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant Experience

At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level

Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities

In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy

Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures

Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs

Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist

Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats

Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry

Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records

Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds

Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds

Reaching above shoulder

Use of fingers

Both hands required

Walking (4 hours)

Standing (4 hours)

Kneeling

Repeated bending

DVA&NVA binocular 20/20

Both eyes required

Ability to distinguish basic colors

Ability to distinguish shades of colors

Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Mental/Emotional stability.

Duties

Chairside Assisting: Provides chairside assistance fully anticipating dentist needs for all instruments - materials and services

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

Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - and periodontics

Takes preliminary impressions for study models - modifying impression tray as needed

Dental Imaging: Operates dental X-ray equipment taking intra- and extra-oral radiographs

Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed

Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized

Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame

Records dental images using x-ray equipment

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

Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition

Debrides and decontaminates instruments - materials and equipment

Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards

Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

Supports and follows all infectious disease policies

Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments - makes appointments - and handles telephone inquiries

Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient

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

Assists the dentist and hygienist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

Maintains MSDS logs and supply levels and orders supplies when the inventory is low

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 (patient transfer and position)

Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients

Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC and facility requirements

Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures - general nutrition as related to dental health - the common causes of tooth decay - and the care of prosthodontic appliances

Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

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

Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements

Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions

Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models

Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims

Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow

Pours and trim models

Constructs custom impression trays

Direct Patient Care: Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing

Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris

Applies desensitizing agents - tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified area of the oral cavity

Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings - and removing sutures

Recement temporary crowns and bridges

Supports dentist in endodontic treatment by applying rubber dam

Advanced Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): Knowledge of OSHA policies of Safe Work Practices including the hazard Communication Program - Blood borne Pathogens Standards - Medical Waste management - Fire and other Emergency Evacuation procedures

Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies of the healthcare field

Ability to demonstrate the procedure for cleaning up a spill of potentially infectious material

Ability to analyze essential information on SDS and create an appropriate label for a secondary container

Ability to recognize an exposure incident in compliance with OSHA regulations

Demonstrates the preparation of soiled instruments for recirculation - including ultra sonic - cold sterilization - wrapping - autoclaving and preset tray preparation

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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