The incumbent will provides assistance to dentists, dental hygienists and expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDA) to provide dental services to the veteran population enrolled at the OPC/CHATTANOGA TN. & CLARKSVILLE-DALTON CLINIC TN. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical, dental laboratory and administrative/clerical functions independently of direct supervision. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/18/2024. 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included a course in radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality; radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting; or practical nurse training approved by the appropriate State, territory, or District of Columbia accrediting body. OR, (3) 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. (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 education and training, including coursework in radiation health and safety, described by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as fully qualifying for any grade level (copies of certificates of successful completion, plus transcripts or course descriptions of the required subjects must be filed in the employee's official personnel folder);OR, (c) 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. Grade Determinations: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-5 Dental Assistant that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. The GS-5 level Dental Assistant serves as a staff dental assistant for routine dental procedures and works under direct supervision for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at the GS-5 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 procedures References: VA Handbook 5005/46 PART II Appendix G36 dated April 19, 2011The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary but involves fine motor movements when assisting. Typically, the employee sits at a desk or table or on adjustable stool in the treatment room with some walking and standing as patients are seated or clean and dirty dental instruments area. Items carried are typically light objects and lifting of moderately heavy objects is not normally required ["Practices prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures. Restoration of teeth with dental filling materials such as amalgam or composite as well as the provision of preventive services. Complete of treatment interventions that are coded in dental specialty clinics including Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics and Orthodontics. Knowledge of laboratory procedures, materials and methods, including safety and proper handling of laboratory equipment. Collaborates with dentists, dental hygienists dental laboratory technicians and schedulers in a manner that enhances coordination of patient care. Follows standard operating procedures for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the dental clinical area. Demonstrate a working knowledge of dental eligibility and the scope of care that may be provided based on the patient's dental classification. Knowledge and skills in detecting signs of syncope, shock or other side reactions to dental treatment and observes the patient throughout treatment for signs of fainting, shock or other distress. Prepare dental materials including dental impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Knowledge of specialized instruments, materials, procedures and techniques used in the full array of treatments provided in both general and specialized dentistry disciplines. Effectively communicate with the patient's assigned dentist, dental hygienist, dental laboratory technician and schedulers to facilitate and accomplishment needed dental care. Use word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving email. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Work Schedule: Monday ~ Friday, 7:00am ~3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70375-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.
