Dental Assistant

Summary Dental assistants at this level serve at the full-performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site. Qualifications 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 - of VA Handbook 5005 - Qualification Standards Basic Experience and/or 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 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) 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) 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 Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable GRADE DETERMINATION for Dental Assistant - GS-06 (Full Performance Level) In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met: Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level Knowledge - skills and abilities at the GS-05 grade level are: 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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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 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 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 (15-44lbs) - heavy carrying (45lbs 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 Duties and responsibilities of the Dental Assistant include - but are not limited to: They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers - and the public Assists customers with questions or concerns Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure 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 Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably Monitors - and performs basic interpretation of - patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure 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 - implant placement and restoration Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Relays patient concerns to treating dentist 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. Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am -4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 59277F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs