Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public. Current, permanent VA employees should apply to announcement CBTA-12431185-24-RB.

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Employees at this level serve as a staff dental assistant and perform a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Employees perform assigned selected procedures with some independence and some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor.

Duties include but not limited to the following:

Chairside Assisting
Provides chairside assistance fully anticipating dentist needs for all instruments, materials, and services.
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.

Dental Imaging
Operates dental X-ray equipment taking intra- and extra-oral radiographs.
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.
Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition.
Debrides and decontaminates instruments, materials, and equipment.
Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards.
Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.

Clerical Functions
Assists patients in scheduling appointments, makes appointments, and handles telephone inquiries.
Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient.
Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's and hygienist's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
Assists the dentist and hygienist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

Information Management
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
Follows computer security regulations.

Patient Safety
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 TJC and facility requirements.
Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition as related to dental health.
Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Dental Laboratory Functions
Pours impressions and prepares study models.
Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.
Pours and trim models.
Constructs custom impression trays.

Direct Patient Care
Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing.
Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris.
Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners and other topica1 agents prescribed by dentist to specified area of the oral cavity.
Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings and removing sutures.
Recement temporary crowns and bridges.
Supports dentist in endodontic treatment by applying rubber dam.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 7:30AM-4:00PM
Telework: No
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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).

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).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 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. 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).

GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant

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:

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

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.

Preferred Experience: In four handed dentistry and the dental treatment of medically complex patients.

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: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing Dental equipment and carts is necessary to deliver items to and from the operatory or procedure site. Pushing and/or lifting of patients from gurneys and/or wheelchairs from and to the waiting area and transferring them into and out of the dental chair is required to position for radiographs, dental examination, and treatment. Reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, and both hands are required. Full dexterity of both hands, arms, and wrist. Must be able to treat patients while sitting and/or standing for long periods of time. Must have the ability to distinguish basic colors. This job requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to evaluate and make good decisions. Must be able to multitask and have the ability the work independently.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.