Dental Assistants receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site. Full-performance dental assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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).OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Registered Dental Assistant Licensure obtained through education and/or experience. 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).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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. GS-5 Experience or Education In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR, Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience/education above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; use of both hands; walking 4 hours; standing 4 hours; sitting 4 hours; repeated bending 4 hours, body in awkward positions while performing dental work; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously ["Patient Care: - Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover - Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care - Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry - 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 - Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, 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 - Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication - Pours impressions and prepares study models -Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims - Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses - Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction - Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education - Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration - Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays - Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed - Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental-service standards - Relays patient concerns to treating dentist Dental Imaging - Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy - Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats - Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider - Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed - Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized - Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories - Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination - Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization - Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment - Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed - Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images 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 Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 640-01127F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
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.
