Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. GS-3 Entry Level Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues, and require daily close supervision. GS-4 Developmental Level Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and require daily and direct contact at the site of work from the assigned supervisor. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to:

• receiving and preparing patient for treatment including seating, positioning chair, placing napkin, performing disinfection and sterilization procedures;
• performing basic chair side assisting with direct instruction from treating dentist;
• reporting medical emergencies to dentist;
• preparing procedural trays/armamentaria set-ups;
• exposing and processing basic dental radiographs with direct supervision;
• mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital images to the electronic medical record with direct supervision;
• complying with standard recommendation for equipment maintenance;
• retrieving all pertinent patient records prior to seating the dental patient;
• directing patient to appropriate staff for the intent of scheduling visits.

GS-5 Employees at this level serve as dental assistants for routine dental procedures. Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to:

• responds to basic medical emergencies;
• measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post- operative instructions;
• maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls;
• using the concepts of four-handed dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures;
• mixes basic dental materials;
• assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms;
• applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses;
• exposes and processes basic dental radiographs;
• mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records;
• evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality;
• maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.

GS-6 Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Employees serves at the full performance level with the ability to 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. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to:

• using the concepts of four-handed dentistry;
• assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration;
• anticipates provider needs at each stage of treatment;
• takes preliminary impressions;
• selects and manipulates a variety of impression materials and cements
• pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts;
• fabricates custom trays.

Work Schedule: 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday to Friday

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized