Dental Assistant The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.
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. Experience and 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: 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: (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, (b) 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, (c) 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. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Dental Assistant Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Dental Assistant Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, GS-3, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. 2. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies. 3. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. 4. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. 5. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. GS-5 Dental Assistant Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-4, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, OR successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: 1. Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. 2. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. 3. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. 4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. 5. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. 3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. 4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. 5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. 6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. 7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. 8. 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties include, but are not limited to: Functions: a. Customer Service i. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public ii. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery b. Chairside Assisting i. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover ii. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently iii. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably iv. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions v. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols vi. Assists in routine general dental procedures vii. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics c. Dental Imaging i. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed ii. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized iii. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame d. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization i. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories ii. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards iii. Complies with Reusable Medical Equipment requirements iv. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care v. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images e. Clerical Functions i. Assists patients in scheduling appointments ii. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments iii. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records iv. Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant. f. Information Management i. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information ii. Follows computer security regulations g. Patient Safety i. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) ii. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients iii. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements iv. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress v. Monitors patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximeter, pain control) and alerts dental provider if outside of normal limits h. Employee Education i. Complies with Employee Education requirements ii. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions i. Dental Laboratory Functions i. Pours impressions and prepares study models ii. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims iii. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow j. Direct Patient Care i. Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing ii. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication iii. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris iv. Recement and fabricate temporary crowns v. Coronal polishing of teeth vi. Place rubber dams and matrix bands vii. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Work Schedule: Full-time Fort Meade: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Hot Springs: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized