Dental Laboratory Technician

Summary The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the (Phoenix VA Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the (Dental Service). The primary purpose of the dental laboratory technician is to work on the written order or prescription by the dentist. Responsibilities Major duties include but not limited to: Removable and Implant Prosthodontic Services (35%): The incumbent is responsible for the complex fabrication of removable prostheses such as but not limited to pouring final removable impressions, fabrication of occlusal rims, case articulation, denture tooth set up for removable partial/complete dentures and maxillofacial prostheses. The incumbent is responsible to fabricate fluoride trays, removable orthotics for bruxism, sleep apnea and/or radiation purpose. The incumbent is responsible to fabricate Provide completion of laboratory reline procedures with same day service. Fixed and Implant Prosthodontic Services (35%): The incumbent is responsible for the complex fabrication of fixed prosthodontics such as but not limited to the final pour, pindex and section of fixed prosthodontic impressions. The incumbent will fabricate restorations using high noble based, ceramic and/or veneer pressed. The incumbent will provide fabrication of metal-ceramo restorations that requires metal preparation and porcelain application. Dental Laboratory Support (20%): The incumbent pours diagnostic impressions, fabricates custom trays, duplicates diagnostic casts and or diagnostic wax ups. The incumbent will provide services to repair fixed and removable prosthesis by but not limited to; soldering, laser welding, porcelain addition, acrylic repair, orthodontic wire preparation and finishing. Administrative Support and Educational Duties (10%): The incumbent is responsible to collaborate with prescribing Dentist on all prosthetic appliances. The incumbent provides education, training and instruction to dental assistants, dental hygienist, dentist regarding fabrication and design of prostheses. The incumbent is responsible for the daily operations of the dental laboratory that includes but not limits to; supply, equipment procurement, organization, case input and tracking, general preventative maintenance and bio-medical engineering requests. The incumbent performs and conducts material testing for the Prosthetic Laboratory Director who is a Board-Certified Prosthodontist. This laboratory dental material testing determines the efficacy of possible materials that can or will maximize and optimize laboratory processes. The incumbent will plan and conduct classroom and or laboratory instruction for dental clinicians, dental laboratory staff and auxiliary dental personnel. In conjunction with these educational assignments, the incumbent will fabricate any prostheses that are determined necessary by the Prosthetic Laboratory Director. Performs other duties as assigned under the direction of the Dental Laboratory Director, a Board-Certified Prosthodontist. Nature of Assignment The dental laboratory technician applies knowledge of the alignment of the upper and lower jaw bone, and the relationship of the tongue to the gums and the roof and floor of the mouth, in waxing full and partial dentures. They must apply a thorough technical knowledge of both normal and abnormal oral anatomy and dentition as these affect the design, fabrication, function, and esthetics of the dental prosthesis being constructed. The Dental Laboratory Technicians have intimate knowledge, understanding and application of the following facets of dental laboratory procedures to best serve the needs of the patient catchment. Education and Testing Education and Material Testing pursuant to directives from the Prosthetic Laboratory Supervisor. Performs a variety of specialty laboratory procedures that require consideration of detailed aspects of each patient's dental anatomy. Achieves appropriate infection control practices in the dental laboratory setting. Safely operates electric hand pieces. model trimmer, shell blaster, air chisel, and vacuum investor for plaster, denture flask press, triad curing system, pressure pot, stone vibrator, sand blaster, high speed lathe, Bunsen burner, Hanau torch, alcohol lamp, and ultrasonic cleaner. Level of Responsibility The dental laboratory technician functions with a minimum level of supervision and reports to the Prosthodontist Supervisor. The technician is assigned unusually novel and intricate dental prostheses, and relied upon to carry out all aspects of their fabrication independently. Typically, an Oral Surgeon or Prosthodontist works collaboratively with the technician and inspects completed work for precision, workmanship, and conformity with the patient need. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM -4:00PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Dental Laboratory Technician/PD14110A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/09/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requitements: Specialized Experience for positions at GS-4 and above: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials, plasters, stones, hydrocolloids, waxes, metals, acrylics, porcelain, and similar materials. Use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools, dental lathes, engines, and hand pieces, furnaces, casting machines, presses, flasks, and related equipment. Use of precision instruments such as articulators, surveyors, and microanalyzers. Construction of dental prosthetic appliances. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-08 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Fabricate acrylic or porcelain crowns, bridges, or facings. Inspects completed work for precision, workmanship, and conformity with the prescription. Resolve the majority of problems independently while performing a full range of functions required in the construction of (1) porcelain or acrylic fixed or semi-fixed bridge restorations, (2) full or removable partial dentures, or (3) orthodontic appliances, or dental splints and obturators, when the construction of the appliance is complicated because of the unusual nature or intricacy of the design required to overcome acute abnormalities. Visualize the relationships of the parts to the whole at each step in the construction process and remain constantly alert to those elements of design and construction that are essential to the fit of the finished appliance OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education and such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Highly desirable experience: Digital platform experience/ CAD CAM experience with 3 shape and/or ExoCad Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, sitting and bending are required. It is necessary to replenish plaster bins, and move heavy flasks in processing cases. It is required to move heavy case pans from one area of the lab to another and it is required to use a step stool to check top shelves of case storage areas. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.