Dental Assistant

Summary James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa - Florida is currently recruiting for a Dental Assistant to serve at the New Port Richey VA Clinic. Dental Assistant performs a full range of duties with some independence in assignment - with direct and indirect supervision from the Lead Dental Assistant or treating Dentist. Examples of procedures may be diagnostic - restorative and/or surgical in nature. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy English Language Proficiency Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part Experience and Education: Experience Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work OR Education Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR Experience/Education Combination Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation - and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education - and be certified as radiographers in their field Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - Inc. OR Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry OR Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a) (1) (D) Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants DANB certification is not required - but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level - and is required for all positions above the full performance level May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates GS-6 Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-5 grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level Example of experience included: 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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.) - heavy carrying (45 lbs) and over - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - good distant vision in one eye - ability to hear whisper voice There is moderate walking (3-4 hrs.) and some extended periods of standing (3-4 hrs.). Duties James A Haley VA Medical Center Dental Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Dental Assistant to serve at the New Port Richey VA Clinic - in New Port Richey - FL Our ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program The Dental Assistant provides quality patient care in collaboration with other health care professionals The selectee will perform specific duties within his/her approved scope of practice Other duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Assists dentist with direct patient care Performs clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision Customer Service Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers - and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - and provides service recovery Chairside Assisting 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’s 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 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 operatories, demonstrating proper infection control procedures in exposing images, disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination, prepares instruments properly for transfer to SPD for sterilization, follows all SOPs for reusable medical equipment, works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed Clerical Functions assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments, assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records, initiates computerized progress note, maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA compliance, follows computer security regulations Patient Safety modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities, provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients, 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, completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Dental Laboratory Functions 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 Direct Patient Care 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 Work Schedule: 4 Day 10 hour Shifts - 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor) The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 70192F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr