RDA/DENTAL ASSISTANCE

Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Florida is currently recruiting for a Dental Assistant to serve at the New Port Richey VA Clinic. Dental Assistant performs a full range of duties with some independence in assignment, with direct and indirect supervision from the Lead Dental Assistant or treating Dentist. Examples of procedures may be diagnostic, restorative and/or surgical in nature.
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Haley VA Medical Center Dental Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Dental Assistant to serve at the New Port Richey VA Clinic, in New Port Richey, FL. Our ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program.
The Dental Assistant provides quality patient care in collaboration with other health care professionals. Performs clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
Customer Service
Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, and provides service recovery
Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure, and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
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
Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement, and restoration
Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer's instructions and dental service standards
Dental Imaging
Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented, and exposed
Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized and retakes are minimized
Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization
Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories
Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
Clerical Functions
Follows computer security regulations
Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
Dental Laboratory Functions
Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site
Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction
Work Schedule : 4 Day 10 hour Shifts, 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM
(The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Telework : Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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Citizen to apply for this job.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
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).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. your performance and conduct;
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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, this part.
Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 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.
Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; 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; Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).

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 under the authority of 38 U.Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. 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.
GS-3 - Dental Assistant
Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues, and require daily close supervision.
GS-4 - Dental Assistant
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)].

Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.
Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies.
Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.
GS-5 - Dental Assistant
reporting medical emergencies to dentist; exposing and processing basic dental radiographs with direct supervision; mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital images to the electronic medical record with direct supervision; Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.
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.
GS-6 - Dental Assistant
Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
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.

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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.
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.
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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.