The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center is recruiting a permanent full-time Dental Assistant. Dental assistants at this level serve at the full-performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. The Dental Assistant will be part of the Dental Service that provides restorative, periodontal, removable and fixed prosthodontic, including implant restorative, and minor oral surgery procedures.
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: All applicants must meet the basic requirements below. 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience and Education: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR 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: 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). 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). Grade Determination GS-06: In addition to the basic requirements for this occupation series, the following criteria must be met for the GS-06 grade level: Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical knowledge, skills, and abilities: 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 To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics associated with current professional dental assisting practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist. Assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration. Anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment. Takes preliminary impressions, selects, and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes, pours, trims, and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts, and fabricates custom trays. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Reviews the patient's CPRS record for medical or behavior alerts and dental treatment plan information. 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. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations. 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. Plans and completes tasks based on established protocols/accepted dental practices. Display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals. Work Schedule: 8:00AM-4:30PM, M-F Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58918F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized