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Dental Assistant

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

Summary

This position is located in the Dental Service at the Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC). Performs the duties of a dental assistant in a hospital based dental clinic.At this level serves as a staff assistant, assisting the provider and independently performing all complex phases of dentistry such as restorative, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, implantology ·and oral surgery .utilizing techniques of four-handed dentistry. Recruitment Authorized - 3 Year Service Agreement

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
01/25/2023 to 02/10/2023
Salary
$42,022 to - $54,625 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
Salem, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
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
CBTA-11802703-23-JK
Control number
702010200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is an EXTERNAL Job Announcement. If you are a current federal employee OR are STATUS eligible, you must apply under the INTERNAL Job Announcement CBTA-11802704-23-JK Recruitment Authorized - 3 Year Service Agreement

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Duties

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The duties and responsibilities of the Dental Assistant includes, but not limited to:

Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public.

Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.

Provides chair side assistance, fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments, materials and services.

Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably.

Prepare dental medicaments and impression material per manufacturer's instructions.

Perform Oral Hygiene counseling per clinical standards set by service.

Assists in routine and specialized dental procedures , such as oral surgery, endodontics, surgical periodontics, prosthodontics, and implantology.

Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.

Assists patients in scheduling appointments.

Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

Maintain a current BLS certification.

Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing.

Remove sutures from post surgical procedures, temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris.

Recement and fabricate temporary crowns.

Coronal polishing of teeth. Applies topical anesthetics.

Applies desensitizing agents.

Place and remove retraction cord prior to impressions.

Place rubber dams and matrix bands.

Provides post-operative and either appropriate patient education.

Preferred Experience and/or Education: Certified Dental Assistant, (CDA), (CFRDA), (CPFDA), (EFDA) and Military Experience. Minimum of (3) Full Time years of Chair Side experience.

Work Schedule:7:30am - 4:00pm, 6:30am - 3:00pm Monday- Friday(schedule will be dependent on clinic needs)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized- 3 Year Service Agreement
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


To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/15/2023.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.
  • 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.
  • English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
  • 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; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying.
Preferred experience: Held a Dental Assistant Position for 3 consecutive years.Certified Dental Assistant,(CDA),(CRFDA),(CPFDA),(EFDA) and Military Experience. Minimum of 3 years of full time experience.

Grade Determinations: GS 06

Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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

Assignment. Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 APRIL 19, 2011 PART II APPENDIX G36 II-G36-6

Physical Requirements: Must be able to treat patients while sitting or standing. Job requires good hand-eye coordination, working in small spaces and the ability to evaluate and make quick decisions

Education

GS-06:There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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.

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