Dental Assistant

Job Title

Allied Health Professional

Duties

The functions or scope of practice includes, not limited to the following:

A. Patient Care and Chairside Assisting

• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays

B. Dental Imaging

• Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy.
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
• Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized.

C. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images.

D. Clerical Functions

• Assists in filling gaps in the dentist's schedule due to cancellations and failed appointments.
• Initiates return to clinic orders and radiograph consults.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and with treatment plans in patient records.

E. Information Management AND Patient Safety

• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
• Participates in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission requirements.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:15pm

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.

Functional Statement #

04371F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Authorized