Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

Videos

• Practices prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, jaws and human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures.
• Restoration of teeth with dental filling materials such as amalgam or composite as well as the provision of preventive services.
• Complete of treatment interventions that are coded in dental specialty clinics including Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics and Orthodontics.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures, materials and methods, including safety and proper handling of laboratory equipment.
• Collaborates with dentists, dental hygienists dental laboratory technicians and schedulers in a manner that enhances coordination of patient care.
• Follows standard operating procedures for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the dental clinical area.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of dental eligibility and the scope of care that may be provided based on the patient's dental classification.
• Knowledge and skills in detecting signs of syncope, shock or other side reactions to dental treatment and observes the patient throughout treatment for signs of fainting, shock or other distress.
• Prepare dental materials including dental impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.
• Knowledge of specialized instruments, materials, procedures and techniques used in the full array of treatments provided in both general and specialized dentistry disciplines.
• Effectively communicate with the patient's assigned dentist, dental hygienist, dental laboratory technician and schedulers to facilitate and accomplishment needed dental care.
• Use word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e­mail.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Work Schedule: Monday ~ Friday, 7:00am ~3:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70375-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/18/2024.

• 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• 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 Accreditation that included a course in radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality; radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting; or practical nurse training approved by the appropriate State, territory, or District of Columbia accrediting body. OR,

(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.

(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 education and training, including coursework in radiation health and safety, described by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as fully qualifying for any grade level (copies of certificates of successful completion, plus transcripts or course descriptions of the required subjects must be filed in the employee's official personnel folder);OR,

(c) 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.

Grade Determinations: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-5 Dental Assistant that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. The GS-5 level Dental Assistant serves as a staff dental assistant for routine dental procedures and works under direct supervision for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at the GS-5 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] technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 dated April 19, 2011The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary but involves fine motor movements when assisting. Typically, the employee sits at a desk or table or on adjustable stool in the treatment room with some walking and standing as patients are seated or clean and dirty dental instruments area. Items carried are typically light objects and lifting of moderately heavy objects is not normally required

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1.Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2.All other VA employees.
3.Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4.All other applicants.
Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies but will be applied to all other applicants.

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.