ASHHRA Career Center

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. **This is an Open Continuous Announcement. The first review/referral of applications will occur 15 business days after the opening of this announcement; after this date applicants will be reviewed on a weekly basis.** 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 and 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. (1) 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). (2) 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). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. (4) 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. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English 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: GS-3 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, GS-3, 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). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements GS-5 Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-4, that demonstrates the core competencies described at the level. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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. GS-6, Staff Dental Assistant Experience: 1 year at or equivalent to the next lower, GS-5, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-5), that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSA's: 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. Preferred Experience: Radiology certification References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46, PART II, APPENDIX G36 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: Moderate lifting, light carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, standing, kneeling, and repeated bending ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure 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. 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. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics. Performs dental imaging. Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPD standards. Complies with Reusable Medical Equipment requirements. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant. 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 JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Monitors patient (BP, pulse EKG, pulse oximeter), and condition during moderate sedation and during recovery period following procedure. Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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