Government and Policy, Healthcare, Other, Healthcare, Practitioner and Technician
Job Description
Staff Dental Assistant
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
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)
Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
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 and is required for all positions above 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)
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
This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment
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 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
Preferred Experience: Chair-side Assisting
Knowledge of planned dental procedures
Ability to pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently (four-handed dentistry)
Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within the standard infection control protocols
Dental Imaging
Independently exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, Ceph, Cone Beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
The dental assistant must take clinically acceptable x-rays
Knowledge of Nomad Portable X-ray Devices
Ability to correctly mount images correctly in CPRS/DRM Plus System within the desired timeframe and minimize retakes
Floater Dental Assistant
The ability to work independent multiple providers daily in a fast-paced Environment
Customer Service
Meets the needs of customers and effectively communicate dental terminology with customer and dental team
Effectively interacts in a professional & courteous manner with supervisor and other employees to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of the organization
Specialty Clinics
Must have working knowledge in all areas of dentistry including General, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Endodontics and other areas if called to perform
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 GS-06
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated
However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
