Dental Assistant

Overview Dental Assistant will assist the Chief of Dental Service. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. This position is located at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, is aligned under Dental Service, and is at the full performance level. Qualifications Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Basic Requirements: Citizenship and being a citizen of the United States. Non‑citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3g. Experience and Education: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. Or a 1‑year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Equivalent combinations of experience and education qualify. Certification: Public Law 97‑35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. The applicant must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds these standards and be certified as a radiographer in their field. Required certifications include: Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations. A radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense. Experience Level: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑5). Technical KSAs: Identify normal oral anatomy. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care. Monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. Provide procedure‑specific patient education and appropriate referrals. Capture standard and special dental images of diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. Perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. Enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. Perform dental assistant‑appropriate laboratory procedures. Consideration may be given to applicants with less than one year’s experience or recent graduates of a dental assisting program if all other requirements are met. Preferred Experience: Dental assistant training, education, or experience. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Assignment The employee serves at the full performance level, performing a full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties and under indirect supervision. Typical assignments include using four‑handed dentistry concepts; assisting with specialty procedures such as oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration; taking preliminary impressions; manipulating plaster and waxes; pouring casts; fabricating custom trays; and other related duties. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is the national certification for Dental Assistants and is highly desirable for positions at this level. Duties Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co‑workers, and the public. Assists customers with questions or concerns. Patient Care: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures 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. Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four‑handed dentistry. 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. Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during the recovery period following the procedure. Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site. Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides procedure‑specific, patient‑preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post‑operative and other appropriate patient education. Assists in specialized dental procedures such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement and restoration. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed. Maintains routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental‑service standards. Relays patient concerns to treating dentist. Dental Imaging: Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy, exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (e.g., TMJ, cephalometric, cone‑beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider, captures images of diagnostic quality, and minimizes retakes. Accomplishes imaging requests within the desired time frame. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories, disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross‑contamination, properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization, follows all standard operating procedures for reusable medical equipment, and demonstrates proper infection‑control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments, initiates computerized progress notes, assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information and follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient’s age and abilities (patient transfer and position), provides accurate and understandable instructions, participates in patient identification and time‑out per Joint Commission requirements, monitors patient condition during treatment, and is alert for signs of physical distress. Employee Education: Complies with employee education requirements and completes mandatory annual training sessions. Supervisory Controls: Work is assigned by the supervising dentist, Lead Dental Assistant, or Supervisory Dental Assistant; dental assistant plans and completes tasks based on established protocols. Computer Security: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with relevant regulations and policies, prevents unauthorized release or alteration, follows access code and file release instructions, and utilizes electronic dental records appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:00–3:30 p.m.; Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr