Dental Assistant

Allied Health Professional Duties

Help. Total rewards of an Allied Health Professional duties include but are not limited to:

• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit 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
• 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
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Initiates computerized progress note
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Assists in clerical scheduling functions
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
• Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site
• Applies topical fluoride
• Makes 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
• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Maybe authorized for highly qualified applicants.

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)

Functional Statement #: 21261-A