Summary

The Dental Assistant supports the Dentists in all aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

12/01/2023 to 09/30/2024

* Salary

$44,373 - $57,682 per year

* Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Locations

many vacancies in the following locations:

* Atlanta, GA

* Carrollton, GA

* Fort McPherson, GA

* Marietta, GA

* Show more locations (1)

* Oakwood, GA

* Remote job

* Telework eligible

* Travel Required

Not required

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

* Appointment type

Permanent -

* Work schedule

Full-time -

* Service

Excepted

* Promotion potential

None

* Job family (Series)

0681 Dental Assistant

* Supervisory status

* Security clearance

Not Required

* Drug test

Yes

* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

* Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

* Announcement number

CBTB-12228959-24-TP

* Control number

763707700

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This job is open to

* The public

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

Clarification from the agency

Open to US Citizens

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Duties

The selectee will be responsible for performing the duties of a dental assistant in a hospital-based dental clinic. Assists in management of patient treatment. As directed by the dentist, the assistant will take digital radiographs and enter examination and treatment plan information into the dental record. He/she enters appropriate codes used in the progress note documentation. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns. Properly prepare instruments for sterilization and in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics. The selectee will triage patients to determine the urgency of appointments being scheduled. Monitor patient's condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. He/she assures proper disposition of patient is related to the clerk for appropriate scheduling. Assures that appropriate disposition is communicated to the patient. Show courtesy, respect and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.

Duties include but not limited to:

1. Assists in management of patient treatment.

2. Performs any other procedure in line with established dental assisting techniques, including acting as a receptionist when needed.

3. Has knowledge of the computerized dental record and privacy requirements related to the maintenance and restriction of release of information from the patients record.

4. Assists dentists, consultants, residents and students chair-side in all phases of general dentistry including specialized areas of prosthodontics (fixed and removable), endodontic, oral surgery, periodontics, and implant procedures utilizing techniques of four handed dentistry where indicated and appropriate.

5. Instructs patients in preventive dental care; measures general nutrition as related to dental health, the common cause of tooth decay arid periodontal disease, and the care of prosthodontics appliances.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:00am to 4:30pm; overtime, weekend, holiday may be required

Functional Statement: 51577F

Telework: Not authorized

Recruitment/Relocation: Not authorized

Financial Disclosure: 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.

* 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

Basic Requirements:

* Citizenship. Citizen of the United States

* Experience and 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. 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.

* English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment (identified above), the following criteria must be met.

* GS-6 Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies. 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: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36

Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Sitting at computers for long periods. Utilization of the telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients, staff members, and others is required. Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit. Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment. Deliver clean instruments to the clinic at least twice a day from SPS dental service. This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and elevators. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams, x-rays, and treatment is required.

The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-6.

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.

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.

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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.