Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant The Dental Assistant assists the dentist with many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. 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. Experience and Education: Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 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 42CFR Part75. 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.; (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; (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 38U.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 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 CODA. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS‑4) Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. GS‑5: Dental Assistant In addition to the requirements listed at GS‑4, 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS‑5) 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‑6: Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS‑5, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS‑6) 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 patients. #J-18808-Ljbffr