The Columbia VA Healthcare System is recruiting a permanent full-time Dental Assistant. Dental assistants at this level serve at the full-performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. The Dental Assistant will be part of the Dental Service that provides restorative, periodontal, removable and fixed prosthodontic, including implant restorative, and minor oral surgery procedures. Basic Requirements. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English 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 [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. (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. 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). 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification [(for positions above the full performance level)] that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: [(1)] Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or [changed to lower grade] within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees [MUST] meet the [certification] requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. [(2)] Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. [(3)] Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.[(4)] If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves [the] occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations. GS-6 [Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level)](a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Major duties may include, but are not limited to: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude of patients, coworkers, and the public. Assists customers with questions or concerns. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure(s) and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Possesses advance knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, and periodontal care. Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry. 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. Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during the recovery period following procedure. Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site. Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Relays patient concerns to treating dentist. Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed. Posses the ability to identify normal anatomy. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Modifies settings to achieve images as requested by the provider. Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques and minimizing retakes. Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing image Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress notes. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. 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 The Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.??? Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual training sessions. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm. Will be required to work rotating Saturdays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 544-53116F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]

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