Dental Assistant

Job Summary The Buffalo VA Medical Center is recruiting for one Dental Assistant for routine patient care in the outpatient dental clinic and operating room in Buffalo - and occasionally the outpatient dental clinic in Batavia. The incumbent assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions. 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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education 6 months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work. OR - Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and 1 education are qualifying. Certification: Public Law 97‑35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. They must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, 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 and may result in removal from the GS‑681 series and termination of employment. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. 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. Applicants 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 GS‑3

• a) Experience or Education – None beyond the basic requirements.
• b) Assignment – Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues – and require daily close supervision.

GS‑4

• a) Experience or Education – In addition to the basic requirements – 1 year of experience at the next lower level – OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by CODA.
• b) KSAs – Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling; basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies; ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval; basic knowledge of maintenance – care and storage of dental equipment; basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.

GS‑5

• a) Experience – In addition to the requirements listed at GS‑4 above – applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.
• b) Education – Successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.
• c) KSAs – Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality; broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement; basic knowledge of instruments – materials and standardized dental procedures; ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA; basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.

GS‑6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience – At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. KSAs – 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; 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 – section D – paragraph 5a of the relevant regulations. Duties 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 service recovery. Chairside Assisting Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Keep operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions. Accomplish all intra‑operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assist in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four‑handed dentistry. Assist in specialized dental procedures – such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Maintain both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Dental Imaging Expose both standard and specialty dental imaging (TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Modify 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 Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfect oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepare instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization. Follow all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment. Work closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions Assist in filling gaps in the doctor’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiate computerized progress note. Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Assist in clerical scheduling functions. Information Management Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follow computer security regulations. Patient Safety – Modify care as necessitated by patient’s age and abilities (patient transfer and position); provide accurate and understandable instructions to patients; participate in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements; monitor patient condition during treatment – being 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 preventive education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post‑operative and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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 #: 14411F. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs