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The incumbent performs a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures and provides chairside assistance in the clinic setting with an emphasis on four-handed dentistry. Performs reversible intra-oral procedures associated with various phases of restorative, prosthodontic, periodontal, endodontic and surgery procedures. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition per manufacturer and Dental Service standards. Supports and follows all infectious disease policies. Maintains supply levels and orders supplies when the inventory is low. Records dental images using x-ray equipment. Debrides and decontaminates instruments, materials and equipment following proper infection control procedures. Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient. Makes appointments and handles telephone inquiries. Supports dental laboratory function and operation as needed.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30p Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & 11:30am - 8pm Thursday
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Other Duties as Assigned by Supervisor

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

Qualifications

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
  (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.
  OR,
  (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)].
  (3) 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
  (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).]

Grade Determinations: Experience. One year experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-05). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assisting with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipating surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; taking preliminary impressions; selecting and manipulating a variety of gypsums and waxes; pouring, trimming and evaluating the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricating custom trays, responding to basic medical emergencies; measuring and recording vital signs; providing pre- and post-operative instructions; maintaining a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; assisting with basic restorative procedures; mixing basic dental materials; applying pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposing and processing basic dental radiographs; mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluating radiographs for diagnostic quality and maintaining routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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 5005/15 Part II Appendix G36 Dental Assistant. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Preferred Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS)
Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include nights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers. May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 40 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

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.