Dental Assistant

Job Title

Duties

Customer Service

Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public

Works well in a team environment, promoting teamwork by cooperation and helping co-workers

Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery

Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals, personal preferences, and freedom of choice

Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds

Chairside Assisting

Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental operatory 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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry

Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration

Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards

Dental Imaging

Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats

Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider

Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed

Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized

Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up 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

Reusable Medical Equipment

Knowledgeable on what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are in use in their clinical area

Obtain, read, and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or established guidelines for all RME in use in their clinical area prior to use

Follows all local SOPs or guidelines for set-up, use and reprocessing of all RME

Clerical Functions

Assist patients in scheduling appointments, ensuring appointments are scheduled in accordance with current VA policies and entered correctly/promptly in the computer

Places Return to Clinic Orders, prior to dismissing patient

Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

Maintain adequate stock of supplies in operatories, ordering and receiving supplies when needed

Dental Laboratory Functions

Pours impressions and prepares study models

Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays

Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow

Direct Patient Care

Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses

Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction

Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday 7:45am- 4:15pm, and some Saturdays 7:00am- 3:00pm

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)

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 #

92779-A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized