Dental assistants serve in staff dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general administrative supervision, or in lead or supervisory dental assistant positions. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. 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 and Education. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3: Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. 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: 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)]. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. 2. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies. 3. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. 4. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. 5. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. Assignment. 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. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: receiving and preparing patient for treatment including seating, positioning chair, placing napkin, performing disinfection and sterilization procedures; performing basic chair side assisting with direct instruction from treating dentist; reporting medical emergencies to dentist; preparing procedural trays/armamentaria set-ups; exposing and processing basic dental radiographs with direct supervision; mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital images to the electronic medical record with direct supervision; complying with standard recommendation for equipment maintenance; retrieving all pertinent patient records prior to seating the dental patient; directing patient to appropriate staff for the intent of scheduling visits. 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] at 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. In addition to meeting paragraph (1) or (2) above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. 2. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. 3. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. 4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. 5. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. Assignment. Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures. Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and postoperative 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 fourhanded dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or savesdigital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. GS-6: Specialized Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that demonstrates the core competencies for that grade level. Examples of equivalent core competencies include: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge Skills and Abilities (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. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36 Dental Assistant Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6 . The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases. Assistant uses lead shielding or takes other acceptable measures for protection against radiation and disease and uses personal protective equipment (e.g. surgical gowns, masks, eye wear, gloves, etc.) during clinical procedures and in accordance with service guidelines and policies. Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required for the entire shift. ["***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 16, 2022. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered/referred on an ongoing basis as applications are received. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Duties include: Setting up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure Cleaning dental units Passing instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently Keeping operative field clear of debris and retracting oral tissues effectively and comfortably Preparing dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Assisting in routine general dental procedures Demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories Properly preparing for sterilization by SPD standards Demonstrating proper infection control procedures in exposing images Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 50268-A\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]