RDA/DENTAL ASSISTANCE

Incumbent will serve as part of the Specialty Care Service with the VA Prescott, AZ Healthcare System. The dental assistant serves as a supporting member of the dental care team performing a full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant or treating dentist. She/he complies with guidelines and policies set forth by the Specialty Care Service, NAVAHCS, VHA policy, and VA statutes and policy.
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Perform routine and specialty dental care.
Assists in complex procedures in specialty dentistry under general supervision.
Demonstrate extensive knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures in the specialty areas of oral surgery, endodontics, and implant dentistry
Assist the Dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.
Provide assistance to customers regarding any questions or concerns, providing service recovery as needed.
Sets up operatory 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.
Accomplish all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and dental implants.
Dental Imaging - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.
Use proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Work Schedule : 7:30am- 4pm Monday- Friday
Telework : Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized
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.
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.

~ English Language Proficiency . Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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.

Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; Preferred Experience: Digital Dental Experience (Scanning/Design)
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
Excellent manual dexterity and visual acuity are necessary to perform most duties. 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.