Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System, Dental Service, is currently recruiting eight (8) Dental Assistants at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 1, 2024 or until all positions are filled.

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

02/01/2024 to 08/01/2024

* Salary

$35,499 - $63,177 per year

* Pay scale & grade

GS 3 - 6

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Location

8 vacancies in the following location:

* Oklahoma City, OK

* Remote job

* Telework eligible

* Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

* Appointment type

Permanent -

* Work schedule

Full-time -

* Service

Excepted

* Promotion potential

* Job family (Series)

0681 Dental Assistant

* Supervisory status

* Security clearance

Other

* Drug test

Yes

* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

* Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

* Announcement number

CBSU-12283471-24-TDG

* Control number

774035100

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This job is open to

* Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

* Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

* The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

* Veterans

Clarification from the agency

This is an externa job announcement open to all US Citizens and other federal employees. Veterans' Preference only applies to non-federal applicants.

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Duties

Major list of duties and responsibilities are, but are not limited to:

* Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.

* Receives and prepares patient for treatment including seating, positioning, chair, and placing napkin.

* Performs disinfection and sterilizing procedures.

* Prepares procedural trays/armamentaria setups.

* Performs basic chairside assistance with direct supervision from the treating dentist.

* Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably.

* Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection-control protocols.

* Assists in routine general dental procedures.

* Maintains a field of operation during dental procedures using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing, and removing cotton rolls.

* Provides patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction.

* Maintains dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Patient concerns to the treating dentist.

* Performs other duties as required.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 53407-A, 53408-A, 53409-A, 53410-A

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

* You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

* All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

* Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

* You may be required to serve a probationary period.

* Subject to background/security investigation.

* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

* Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

Experience and Education

(1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.

OR,

(2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation (CODA) - Must attach supporting document to application showing completion.

(3) 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

(a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;

OR,

(b) 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,

(c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).

(2) 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. 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.

(3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

(4) 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.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Dental Assistant, GS-3

* Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Dental Assistant, GS-4

* 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 the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation (CODA).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.

Dental Assistant, GS-5

* Experience or Education. In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

OR,

* (2) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.

Staff Dental Assistant, GS-6 (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.

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

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Light carrying under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, both hands required, walking/standing 8-10 hours, repeated bending, both legs required, specific visual requirements (small details), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, hear.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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 or 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.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

* Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.