Summary

Serve as staff dental assistants for routine patient care - performing a full range of duties with indirect supervision. Dental assistants perform assigned procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. 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

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: 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
• English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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).] 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues - and require daily close supervision GS-4: Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower level - OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies
• ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing
• knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• GS-5 : 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: ability to evaluate diagnostic quality
• knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA GS-6 (Full Performance Level): 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: 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
• Preferred Experience: Multi provider experience - more than one year experience
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/46 - Part II - Appendix G36
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects
• This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients.

Duties

• Customer Service Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public Works well in a team environment - promoting teamwork by cooperation and helping co-workers Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals - personal preferences - and freedom of choice Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge - values - beliefs - and cultural backgrounds Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental operatory 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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Dental Imaging Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e
• TMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider 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 Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up 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 Reusable Medical Equipment Knowledgeable on what reusable instruments - equipment - medical devices or supplies are in use in their clinical area Obtain - read - and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or established guidelines for all RME in use in their clinical area prior to use Follows all local SOPs or guidelines for set-up - use and reprocessing of all RME Complies with established SOPs and/or guidelines for non-critical RME Clerical Functions Assist patients in scheduling appointments - ensuring appointments are scheduled in accordance with current VA policies and entered correctly/promptly in the computer Places Return to Clinic Orders - prior to dismissing patient Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Maintain adequate stock of supplies in operatories - ordering and receiving supplies when needed Patients with priority status (OEF/OIF - 100% SC - POW or SC for their disability) are scheduled to be seen within 30 days Appointments are scheduled using the correct desired date for established and new patients Notation of patients who did not attend their appointment (\"No-shows or Patient Cancellations\") is entered in Vista on a daily basis
• for patients who cancel - a comment is made regarding reason for cancellation and desire to reschedule Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Direct Patient Care Monitors patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00 am- 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized