Summary

This position serves as the staff dental assistant located at the Daytona Beach VA Clinic which is part of the Orlando VA Medical Center. The Dental Assistant independently performs more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general administrative supervision, or in lead or supervisory dental assistant positions. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States 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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards
• Basic Experience and/or 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) 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 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)
• ***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
• ***Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• English Language Proficiency
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
• GRADE DETERMINATION for Dental Assistant, GS-06 (Full Performance Level)
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Knowledge, skills and abilities at the GS-05 grade level are: 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
• 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
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Keep operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
• Accomplish all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Assist in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy and is responsible for proper use, cleaning, and documentation of pertinent reusable medical equipment in accordance with medical center policies
• Assist in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Perform additional administrative and clerical duties assigned by the Chief of Dental Services
• Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Participate in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements
• Monitor patient (BP, pulse EKG, pulse oximeter), and condition during moderate sedation and during recovery period following procedure
• Perform other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Provide post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 80115F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized