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GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant
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, lead dental assistant, or dentist.
06/03/2025 to 06/11/2025
$49,960 - $64,952 per year
GS 7
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time - M-Th, 7:30am-5pm, every other F, 7:30am-4pm
Excepted
7
No
Yes
CBSY-12745002-25-AA
838083400
This announcement is open to the public and employees of other federal agencies. Current, permanent VA employees should apply to announcement number CBSY-12745001-25-AA.
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.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Expanded function duties:
i. Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity
ii. Gathers diagnostic information
iii. Performs pulp vitality testing
iv. Charts existing restoration and conditions
v. Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses
vi. Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands
vii. Places and removes retraction cord
viii. Places and removes intracoronal temporary restorations
ix. Removes temporary crown/bridges and clean tooth preparations of debri
x. Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns/bridges
xi. Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
xii. Removes sutures
xiii. Places and removes surgical dressings
xiv. Monitors local anesthetics and analgesicsxv. Performs coronal polishing of teeth
xvi. Removes hard accretions from and adjusts, polishes removable prostheses
xvii. Demonstrates oral hygiene procedures
xviii. Places and removes matrices for restorations
xix. Irrigates extraction sites
xx. Captures CBCT images
xxi. Competent in using the digital dentistry equipment to include scanning, transferring, and fabricating lab prostheses
Customer Service
i. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public
ii. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery
Chairside Assisting
i. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
ii. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently
iii. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
iv. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
v. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
vi. Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
vii. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration
viii. Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards
Dental Imaging
i. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
ii. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider
iii. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed
iv. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized
v. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame
Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization
i. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
ii. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
iii. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization
iv. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
v. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
vi. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
Clerical Functions
i. Assists patients in scheduling appointments
ii. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
iii. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
iv. Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant.
Information Management
i. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
ii. Follows computer security regulations
Patient Safety
i. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
ii. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
iii. Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
iv. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
Work Schedule: Full-time; M-Th, 7:30am-5pm, every other F, 7:30am-4pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
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/.
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.
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 06/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12745002.
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/838083400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.