Dental Assistant

Job Title

Duties include but are not limited to:

Customer Service

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public
• Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chair Side 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.

Dental Imaging

• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging in a digital format.
• Modifies setting 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 operatory.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• 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.

Clerical Functions

• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Initiates computerized progress notes.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

Information Management

• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
• Follows computer security regulations

Patient Safety

• 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.

Employee Education

• Complies with Employee Education requirements.
• Complies 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.

Reusable Medical Equipment (RME)

• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

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) 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 Available

Virtual

This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #

54216-F, 54217-F,54218-F,54219-F

US Department of Veterans Affairs