Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to Current, Permanent Employees of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center and its associated Outpatient Clinics.

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Performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist.

Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties.

Assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Expanded function duties: Duties listed in this section (a) comprise at least 25% of the clinical expanded function dental assistant's time.
Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity, Gathers diagnostic information, Performs pulp vitality testing, Charts existing restoration and conditions, Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses, Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands, Places and removes retraction cord, Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration.

Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris, Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns, Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. Removes sutures, Places and removes surgical dressings, Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic, Performs coronal polishing of teeth, Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses.

Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public,Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 intraoperative procedures within standard infection control protocols,

Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider, 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, Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination,Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization.

Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointment,Initiates computerized progress note, Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

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 Joint Commission requirements, Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Dental Laboratory Functions: 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.

Direct Patient Care: 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.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Compressed Tour may be authorized.
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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

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).

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). OR,
(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Certification. Public Law requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures 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).

DANB Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is required at this grade level. (Provide proof)

Grade Determinations: GS-7 Dental Assistant. At this level, dental assistants serve either as a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Lead Dental Assistant. For all positions above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time.
Experience: At least one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06) or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
a. Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions.
b. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).

Assignment: In this position, the employee performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting of existing conditions, placing of rubber dam and matrices, selecting shades, placing retraction cord, placing and removing temporary restorations, fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. In addition, the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses.

Preferred Experience: Current CDA held by the Dental Assistant National Board required, plus completion of a state accredited Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) training as a registered dental assistant who has completed specialized, board-approved certification to perform advanced restorative and/or prosthetic procedures under dentist direct supervision OR have CRFDA (certified restorative function dental assistant) certification.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Long standing, sitting, and lifting 22 lbs. or greater. Bending and reaching is required to provide treatment of patients. Bending is required when removing supplies from cabinets or replenishing supplies in cabinets.

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.