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The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently with direct supervision.
05/16/2025 to 08/11/2025
$36,103 - $58,445 per year
GS 3 - 6
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
6
No
Yes
CBSY-12736833-25-GPA
837134500
This announcement is open to the public and employees of all Federal agencies.
Customer Service
Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers 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.
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 manufacturers instructions.
Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
Assists in routine general dental procedures.
Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics
Dental Imaging
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.
Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.
Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.
Clerical Functions
Assists patients in scheduling appointments.
Assists in filling gaps in the doctors schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointment.
Assists dentist 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 patients age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements.
Monitors patient condition during treatment being alert for signs of physical distress.
Monitors patient (BP, pulse EKG, pulse oximeter), and condition during moderate sedation and during recovery period following procedure
Employee Education
Complies with Employee Education requirements.
Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
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.
Employee Education
Complies with Employee Education requirements.
Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
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.
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.
Recement and fabricate temporary crowns.
Coronal polishing of teeth.
Place rubber dams and matrix bands.
Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants will be reviewed until closure date of the announcement or until the position is filled.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12736833.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/837134500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.