Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

Videos

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions
independently of direct supervision. If selected, you will duties necessary to assist the dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. You will perform a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures and provide chairside assistance in the clinic setting with an emphasis on four-handed dentistry. You will perform reversible intra-oral procedures associated with various phases of restorative, prosthodontic, periodontal, endodontic and surgery procedures. Your basic responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instruction
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Initiates computerized progress note
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Assists in clerical scheduling functions
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and
  during recovery period following procedure
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site
• Applies topical fluoride
• Makes 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, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Thursday 11:30 AM-8:00 PM. Location is Buffalo only. Occasional detail to Batavia as needed.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
  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).
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).

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.

Preferred Experience: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

Grade Determinations: GS-6
Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-05, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post-operative instructions; maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using the concepts of four-handed dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.

In addition 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, Part II, Appendix G36 - Title 38 Hybrid Dental Assistant Qualifications Standards

Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Sitting at computers for long periods. Utilization of the telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients, staff members, and others is required. Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit. Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment. Deliver clean instruments to the clinic at least twice a day from SPS dental service. This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and elevators. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams, x-rays, and treatment is required.

Work Environment: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation (dental and facial
x-rays). Work involves exposure to fire (open flame, use of electrical equipment in the presence of oxygen). Exposure to
chemicals (Methylmethacrylates, cements, alcohol, polymers, disinfecting and sterilizing agents). Exposure to blood, saliva,
tissue and bone. The dental assistant wears PPE including face mask, protective glasses, gloves and gown. The dental
assistant works in a clinic setting with some exposure to the hospital wards and the operating room.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.