**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 1st, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.** 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. Experience/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). If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR; Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application. 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). 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). NOTE: 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Regulations. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS6 Experience/Education: At least 1 year of experience the next lower grade level (GS-5) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. At the GS-5 grade level, employees serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures. Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post-operative instructions; maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using the concepts of four-handed dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. GS-5 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following GS-6 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. 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. ["Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures 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. Assists in routine general dental procedures as well as specialized dental procedures such as oral & maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics. Conducts dental imaging. Prepares instruments for sterilization by SPD standards and does not delay clinical care. Follows infection control procedures. Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Charts findings and treatment plans in patient records. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bit rims. Removes sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris. Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns. Place rubber dams and matrix bands. Complete impressions of diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Coronal polishing of teeth. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 619-124-FS Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
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.