Summary

The Dental Assistants will be assigned to Dental Service at the Durham NC VA Health Care System and will perform complex work in the dental disciplines of restorative - endodontics - prosthodontics - periodontics - implantology - and oral surgery while receiving general administrative supervision. The incumbent assignment to include advanced use of the computerized dental patient records system to initiate patient consultations - storing and viewing images for diagnostic data and treatment plans.

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
• Experience and Education
• Experience
• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work
• OR - Education
• Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• Experience/Education Combination
• 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: (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).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) 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
• 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)
• GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant 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: 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
• All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• Preferred Experience: Minimum 2 years dental experience and CDA ll or RDA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing - walking - sitting - and bending are required
• Pushing Dental equipment and carts is necessary to deliver items to and from the operatory or procedure site
• Pushing and/or lifting of patients from gurneys and/or wheelchairs from and to the waiting area and transferring them into and out of the dental chair is required to position for radiographs - dental examination - and treatment
• Reaching above shoulders - use of fingers - and both hands are required
• Full dexterity of both hands - arms - and wrist
• Must be able to treat patients while sitting and/or standing for long periods of time
• Must have the ability to distinguish basic colors
• This job requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to evaluate and make good decisions
• Must be able to multitask and have the ability the work independently.

Duties

• Major Duties and Responsibilities - but not limited to: a
• Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist
• Performs assigned selected procedures with some independence
• Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor
• b
• Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• Functions: a
• 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 b
• 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 intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards c
• 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 d
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Utilizes all proper PPE per national and local policies Follows all hospital infection control protocols including hand hygiene e
• Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Initiates computerized progress note Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Locates/tracks all pending patient lab cases for use during patient appointments Properly completes all dental laboratory cards f
• Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations g
• 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 h
• Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions i
• 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 j
• 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 Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Completes medication reconciliation and TBI screenings as appropriate Work Schedule: Full-Time 7:00 am - 4:30 pm 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