Dental Assistant - Veterans Health Administration : Job Details

SummaryDental AssistantThe Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.DutiesHelpThe VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.Duties include, but are not limited to:Functions:a. Customer Servicei. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the publicii. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recoveryb. Chairside Assistingi. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnoverii. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficientlyiii. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortablyiv. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructionsv. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocolsvi. Assists in routine general dental proceduresvii. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodonticsc. Dental Imagingi. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposedii. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimizediii. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time framed. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilizationi. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatoriesii. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standardsiii. Complies with Reusable Medical Equipment requirementsiv. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical carev. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing imagese. Clerical Functionsi. Assists patients in scheduling appointmentsii. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointmentsiii. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient recordsiv. Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant.f. Information Managementi. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal informationii. Follows computer security regulationsg. Patient Safetyi. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)ii. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patientsiii. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirementsiv. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distressv. Monitors patient vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximeter, pain control) and alerts dental provider if outside of normal limitsh. Employee Educationi. Complies with Employee Education requirementsii. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessionsi. Dental Laboratory Functionsi. Pours impressions and prepares study modelsii. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rimsiii. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allowj. Direct Patient Carei. Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressingii. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabricationiii. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debrisiv. Recement and fabricate temporary crownsv. Coronal polishing of teethvi. Place rubber dams and matrix bandsvii. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient educationWork Schedule: Full-time: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pmTelework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #: 000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorizedRequirementsHelpConditions of employmentYou 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 trial period.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).QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.Experience and Education:Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).OR,Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. 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.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).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.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). 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.English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.Grade Determinations:GS-3 Dental Assistant Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.GS-4 Dental Assistant Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, GS-3, 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).ANDDemonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.2. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies.3. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval.4. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.5. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.GS-5 Dental Assistant Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-4, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, OR successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.ANDDemonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's:1. Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.2. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.3. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA.5. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level)Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.ANDDemonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.8. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory proceduresPreferred Experience: Dental assisting experienceReference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .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.You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or cationNote: 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 informationReceiving 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.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.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.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.Expand Hide additional informationCandidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.BenefitsHelpA 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 benefitsEligibility 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.