Dental Assistant
Examples of procedures may be diagnostic, restorative and /or surgical in nature. The dental assistant will take direction and instruction from the Dentist and/or Supervisory Dental Assistant. Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Assists patients with questions and concerns. Sets up operatory 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 all dental procedures, including oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics with the general dentist in the dental clinic and in the Operating Room. Dental Imaging:
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. Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral conditions. Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures when providing services. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Charts treatment provided in the electronic DRM Plus patient record. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Provides oral hygiene instructions and general information to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Functions efficiently in emergency situations - is CPR certified and familiar with location of the emergency cart. Pours and trims models from impression; constructs custom trays, base plate and bite rims. Packages tissue specimens, and routes to pathology service. Changes and removes surgical dressings, and removes sutures as directed. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, bite guards, and custom trays, as requested by the dentist. Prepares instruments and materials needed for operating room procedures, and assists in oral surgery in the operating room, following proper O.R. protocol. Provides chairside assistance, fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments, materials and services. Assists the Periodontist, Oral Surgeon, and Endodontist. Receives and schedules patients for treatment in dental clinic, and operating room. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:
00 am to 4:
30 pm, unless otherwise approved by supervisor. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/28/2020. 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:
Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work; OR, Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) ; OR, 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). NOTE:
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. This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment. 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. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level. Grade Determination:
Qualified applicants must demonstrate one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5) and demonstrate the additional knowledge, skills and abilities at the GS-6. GS-5 Dental Assistant (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality 2. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement 3. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures 4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA 5. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. GS-6 Dental Assistant (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements:
Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (some), Standing (some), Repeated bending (some), Rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), Emotional/mental stability.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Assists patients with questions and concerns. Sets up operatory 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 all dental procedures, including oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics with the general dentist in the dental clinic and in the Operating Room. Dental Imaging:
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. Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral conditions. Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures when providing services. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Charts treatment provided in the electronic DRM Plus patient record. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Provides oral hygiene instructions and general information to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Functions efficiently in emergency situations - is CPR certified and familiar with location of the emergency cart. Pours and trims models from impression; constructs custom trays, base plate and bite rims. Packages tissue specimens, and routes to pathology service. Changes and removes surgical dressings, and removes sutures as directed. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, bite guards, and custom trays, as requested by the dentist. Prepares instruments and materials needed for operating room procedures, and assists in oral surgery in the operating room, following proper O.R. protocol. Provides chairside assistance, fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments, materials and services. Assists the Periodontist, Oral Surgeon, and Endodontist. Receives and schedules patients for treatment in dental clinic, and operating room. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:
00 am to 4:
30 pm, unless otherwise approved by supervisor. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/28/2020. 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:
Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work; OR, Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) ; OR, 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). NOTE:
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. This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment. 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. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level. Grade Determination:
Qualified applicants must demonstrate one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5) and demonstrate the additional knowledge, skills and abilities at the GS-6. GS-5 Dental Assistant (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality 2. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement 3. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures 4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA 5. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. GS-6 Dental Assistant (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements:
Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (some), Standing (some), Repeated bending (some), Rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), Emotional/mental stability.
- Department:
0681 Dental Assistant - Salary Range:
$39,341 to $51,144 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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