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Dental Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Dental Assistants at this level assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform many other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision.


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/26/2022 to 06/10/2022
Salary
$45,075 to - $58,598 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Providence, RI
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1 Year
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTD-11513890-22-KAW
Control number
656882200

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Duties

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Duties to include but not limited to:

  • Prepares operatory for patient treatment including the preparation of necessary and appropriate instruments, and medications ensuring proper arrangement of same.
  • Seats and drapes patients. Receives patients for treatment such as routine restorations.
  • Ensures patient verification, schedules and routes patients for services as required.
  • Prepares sterilized surgical, endodontic, prosthodontics and periodontic instruments.
  • Records information related to medical history and dental procedures and findings in the computer program designed for this purpose.
  • Prepare patients for oral surgery performed in dental clinic operatory and hospital operating room.
  • Researches information on patient consults to provide input, so that dentists can assure timely responses.
  • In all dental procedures, the employee will maintain aseptic conditions, stabilize tissue for dentist and prepare all instrumentation.
  • Following surgery, irrigate surgical site and prepare sutures and surgical dressings. Change and remove surgical dressings and remove sutures as directed, place and remove rubber dams, matrix bands and wedges.
  • Employee provides chairside assistance in stand-up, fourhanded or sit down dentistry for staff dentists and specialists including oral surgery, endodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics.
  • Passes instruments, medications and materials such as surgical dressings, syringes and a variety of material for impressions and restorations, retracts tissue, tongue and cheek. Keep area clear of debris and saliva buildup by operating oral evacuators.
  • Assist patients in scheduling appointments. The employee will show courtesy, respect and a positive attitude to patients, co-workers and the public.
  • Additional duties as assigned.


Work Schedule: Full Time, Mon-Fri
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F02757
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work .
  • OR,
  • Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
  • 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
  • Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;
  • OR,
  • 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,
  • 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 in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

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, and is required for all positions above 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).

Grade Determinations:

Dental Assistant GS-6
Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures. Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and postoperative 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 fourhanded 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.

GS-06 Knowledge, Skills and, Abilities:
  • Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
  • Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
  • Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
  • Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
  • Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
  • Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
  • Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
  • Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.


Preferred Experience:
  • Consistently demonstrates knowledge and ability needed to assist dentist in all aspects of patient care. Consistently provides chairside assistance in four-handed dentistry.
  • Consistently follows Universal Precautions guidelines in accordance with hospital protocols.
  • Selects and safely handles all dental equipment and RME required to support dental procedures in accordance with established protocols, standards, and SOP's.
  • Demonstrates a willingness to help support the dental clinic and co-workers by helping to set up and break down operatories, help with restocking supplies in operatories, etc.
  • Cleans and maintains dental operatories and equipment in accordance with CDC, VA guidelines, and SOP's. Maintains proper storage of reprocessed RME per hospital guidelines.
  • Consistently communicates clearly, both orally and in writing. Ensures the customer receives the highest quality of dental care.
  • Protects all patient information according to VA guidelines.


References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36

The 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: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.). Moderate Carrying (15-44lbs) . Pushing (4 hour). Reaching above shoulder. Use of fingers. Both hands required. Walking (up to 4 hours). Standing (up to 4 hours). Repeated bending (up to 4 hour). Depth perception, and the ability to distinguish basic colors required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16". Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

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.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.


If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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

How you will be evaluated:
Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed:
1. Job title
2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé. Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.


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.

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.

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