The Hampton VA Medical Center is looking for a Dental Assistant to join the team! Dental Assistants receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site. Full-performance dental assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. ~OR~ 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~ Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant 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. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience in the dental care and treatment of medically compromised veteran patients. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing, 3 hours; Repeated bending, 8 hours; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Depth perception; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Works with radiation; ["Chairside Assisting: Provides chairside assistance fully anticipating dentist needs for all instruments, materials and services Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently 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 Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics Takes preliminary impressions for study models, modifying impression tray as needed Dental Imaging Operates dental X-ray equipment taking intra- and extra-oral radiographs Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Records dental images using x-ray equipment Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition. Debrides and decontaminates instruments, materials and equipment. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Supports and follows all infectious disease policies Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments, makes appointments, and handles telephone inquiries Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's and hygienist's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Assists the dentist and hygienist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Maintains MSDS logs and supply levels and orders supplies when the inventory is low Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC and facility requirements Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition as related to dental health, the common causes of tooth decay, and the care of prosthodontic appliances Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Pours and trim models. Constructs custom impression trays Direct Patient Care Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified area of the oral cavity Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings, and removing sutures Recement temporary crowns and bridges Supports dentist in endodontic treatment by applying rubber dam Advanced Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Knowledge of OSHA policies of Safe Work Practices including the hazard Communication Program, Blood borne Pathogens Standards, Medical Waste management, Fire and other Emergency Evacuation procedures Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies of the healthcare field Ability to demonstrate the procedure for cleaning up a spill of potentially infectious material Ability to analyze essential information on SDS and create an appropriate label for a secondary container Ability to recognize an exposure incident in compliance with OSHA regulations Demonstrates the preparation of soiled instruments for recirculation, including ultra sonic, cold sterilization, wrapping, autoclaving and preset tray preparation Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday, 7:30AM- 4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
