Summary

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is seeking a highly qualified for a Dental Assistant position in Wichita - KS. **This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens. Current - permanent VA employees and employees of other Federal agencies - please apply to announcement number: CBSS-12709421-25-KS.***

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:

• 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.) English Language Proficiency
• Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education and/or 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)
• OR 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
• 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)
• Note: 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
• 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-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 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The 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-6. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• or over)
• Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.) Light lifting (15 lbs
• and under)
• Light carrying (15 lbs
• and under)
• Pushing (1 hour)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingerprints
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 4 hours)
• Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Kneeling (up to 2 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The duties listed are for the Full Performance Level of the position
• The Dental Assistant is responsible for maintaining an aseptic environment during procedure set up and break down - observing the dental schedule to ensure patients are ready for the dentist in a timely manner - assisting the dentist chairside during procedures - daily operation and maintenance of all dental equipment - participation in inventory control of the clean room - and acquiring dental x-rays as prescribed by the dentist
• Radiation safety certification is required
• Duties include but are not limited to: Maintains patient privacy and follows all HIPPA and FISMA policies
• Review medical history prior to appointment to discuss any possible contraindications with a dentist
• Enter orders into CPRS to take dental x-rays as prescribed by dentist
• Triage phone calls from Veterans experiencing dental pain
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans/disinfects dental unit for timely turnover
• Ensures correct CPRS chart - DRM chart - and vista imaging are open and ready for the dentist prior to the dentist entering the treatment room
• Independently reviews patient charts at the beginning of the day to discuss potential issues with treating dentist
• Respond to medical emergencies
• Measure and record vital signs
• Assist treating dentist in the preparation of laboratory prescriptions
• Mix basic restorative materials
• Provide pre and post operative instructions
• Confirms patient identity by verifying full name and last 4 of social security number
• Discuss patients concerns and establish chief complaint to be relayed to dentist
• Gather diagnostic information
• Perform pulp vitality testing
• Assist with advance oral surgery techniques
• Print specimen labels for biopsy and deliver to lab per oral surgeon's instructions
• Prepare and ensure patient signs consent form prior to any extraction
• Receive dental lab cases and accurately record in dental lab log
• Complete inventory of first in/first out for sterile instruments
• Retrieve RME and disposable supplies from Pyxis and ensure correct inventory tracking system is utilized
• Correctly package lab cases for shipment by mail and deliver to VA dock for shipment
• Transfer x-rays - ensure images successfully transferred - complete imaging consult - and remove patient from Trophy daily
• Continually monitor supplies for expiration
• Communicates with assistants - hygienists - and dentists
• Keeps storage and treatment rooms clean and organized
• Chart existing and needed restorations within DRM including complex restorative cases and dental anomalies
• Exposes and processes basic dental radiographs and evaluate for diagnostic quality
• Correctly orientates dental x-rays and identifies the tooth/teeth captured under guidance of a more experienced assistant
• Follows all radiation safety protocols and ensures patients are exposed to the least radiation possible
• Properly follows infection-control standards before - during and after dental images are captured
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized