This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until all positions are filled OR until all open positions are filled. Open continuous announcements create an "Inventory Bank" of readily available applicants. The resumes of eligible/qualified applicants will be saved to this open continuous announcement and will be considered and referred to hiring managers as vacancies become available. 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, Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. OR, 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. (1) 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). English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. 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 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, Part II, Appendix G36The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to the operatory or procedure site. It is necessary to climb onto lifts to retrieve or store supplies, or to help the dentist carry out a surgical or dental procedure. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair is required to position them for radiographs or dental examination and treatment. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["Duties and responsibilities are but not limited to: Works directly and indirectly with supervision form a lead or supervisory dental assistant or an independent dental care provider (dentist, dental specialist) or hygienist). Performs routine patient care and procedures under direct or indirect supervision Performs clinical, clinical, laboratory, and clerical/administrative functions as assigned. Assists in specialty patient dental care (dental hygiene, periodontics, endodontics, prosthetics, implantology (surgery and restorative) and oral surgery). Exercises competency in exposure of diagnostic quality standard and specialty radiographic images in traditional and/or digital formats. This includes but is not limited to (1) periapical radiograph, (2) bitewing radiograph, (3) panoramic/panorex radiograph, (4) CT image, (5) TMJ image, (6) occlusal radiograph, (7) Waters View image, (8) Reverse Townes image, and (9) buccal-object rule images (or as Dental Service radiographic capability allows). Trouble shoots image quality problems to achieve a diagnostic quality image when a first attempt was below standard. Performs dental imaging duties in a timely manner utilizing radiation safety techniques/practices for patient safety and worker safety. Assists the dental provider accomplish clinical exams, radiographic exams, and dental treatment in accordance with CDC, VHA, VISN 10, Cincinnati VAMC facility and Dental Service infection control policies. Maintains general dental and specialty equipment and supplies according to manufacturer's instruction and Dental Service standards. Customer Service Interacts with patients in accordance with standards for age-specific care including knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups. Provides patient assessment and the interpretation of data about the patient's status in the dental treatment setting. Demonstrates sensitivity to and accommodations for the special needs of all patients with respect to age, developmental requirements, and cultural diversity. Sets up the dental treatment area/surgical suite for planned dental/surgical treatment procedures prior and during patient care encounters. Cleans and disinfects treatment areas following patient care to facilitate timely treatment area turnover. Escorts patients from the waiting area to the treatment area at the beginning of an appointment and from the treatment area to the waiting area following an appointment as needed. Assists Dental team with instruments safely, accurately and efficiently to facilitate safe, efficient, and effective patient care. Keeps the operative field clear of debris and retracts oral soft tissues effectively to facilitate comfortable patient care for respective patients. Administrative The dental assistant protects printed and electronic files containing patient or agency sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized access/deletion. Follows regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes and other facility or Dental Service policy. Performs general office duties utilizing office equipment Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistaA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Dental Record Manager Plus (DRM+) to access information in the facility computer system. Educational Complies with Cincinnati VA Medical Center Employee Education Requirements. Completes all mandatory annual training sessions. Work Schedule: M-F 6:30am -3:00pm Compressed/Flexible: -Monday-Thursday 6:30am-4:00pm, Friday 6:30am-3:00 every other Friday off Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Preferred Experience: CPR/BLS certificate is highly desirable Position Title/Functional Statement #:Dental Assistant/PD00000"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
