Summary

Dental Assistants at this level serve in dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general supervision. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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)
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 - To qualify at the GS-3 you must meet the following: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Example of Experience: Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues - and require daily close supervision
• GS-4 - To qualify at the GS-4 you must meet the following: Experience or Education: 1 year of experience at the next lower GS-3 grade level
• Example of Experience: Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues - and require daily close supervision
• 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) AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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 - To qualify at the GS-5 you must meet the following
• Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to/at the next lower GS-4 grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Example Experience: Employees at this level serve as [developmental] staff dental assistants
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and require daily and direct contact at the site of work from the assigned supervisor
• 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
• AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 - To qualify at the GS-6 you must meet the following
• Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-5 grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Example of Experience: Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures
• Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies
• measures and records vital signs
• provides pre- and post- operative instructions
• maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction - suction - irrigation - drying - placing and removing cotton rolls
• using the concepts of four- handed dentistry - assists with basic restorative procedures
• AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: - 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: At least 3 years of Dental Assistant experience
• 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-06
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting & carrying (under 15 lbs)
• Use of fingers on both hands required
• Walking & Standing (6 hrs)
• Both legs required (1 prosthetic) - Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing aid (permitted).

Duties

• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: Chair side Assisting Responds to basic medical emergencies
• Measures and records vital signs
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Charts existing restorations and conditions
• Selects shades for fixed and removable prosthesis
• Provides chair side assistance - fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments - materials and services
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
• Dental Imaging Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - cone beam) in digital formats
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by provider
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized
• Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame
• Infection Control Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning dental 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
• Instruments are properly pre-treated for pick-up by SPS personnel
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the dentist's schedule due cancellations and failed appointments
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Assist with entering Return to Clinic Orders
• Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follows computer security regulations
• 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 JCAHO requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Monitors patient (BP - pulse) - and condition during invasive procedures and during recovery period following procedure
• Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Maintains BLS certification that includes operation of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) per Medical Center Policy
• Dental Laboratory Functions Takes preliminary impressions for study models
• Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 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.