Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11795634-23-AK. The Dental Assistant supports the dentists in all aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. 40% of duties involve providing more complex/specialty level procedures such as operating room surgery, implants, prosthodontics, laser and geriatric dentistry. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education: (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR (3) 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. 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). Exception: 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. Grade Determinations: 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. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, 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 (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). Preferred Experience: Recruiting for a well rounded dental assistant who is proficient in all aspects of dentistry including restorative, fixed and removable prosthetics, oral surgery, endodontics and implant restorations. Skills must include fabrication of quality provisional restorations, taking and pouring alginate impressions, exposing diagnostic, quality, digital images, coronal polishing, experience using electronic dental records. Operating room experience a plus but not mandatory. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, climbing (legs only), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, specific visual requirement (good distance vision 1 eye), both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), specific hearing requirements (ability to hear conversational voice, aid permitted), mental and emotional stability, ability to read printed material without strain (glasses permitted). (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["The duties of the Dental Assistant in the Dental Service include but are not limited to: Functions: Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients and their family, coworkers and the public. Provides assistance to veterans with questions. Chair side Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Practices four handed dentistry and 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 manufacturers instructions. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general dental procedures. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, laser surgery procedures and surgical periodontics. Assists in implant placement and restoration. Dental Imaging Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame because of digital capability. Ability to take digital panograph and tomography images for implant placement. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Instruments are prepared in a timely manner that does not delay clinical care. Maintain a clean environment in the mini lab. Disinfect alginate impressions, crown/bridge impressions, dentures and partials before sending to laboratory. Assists in oral surgery cases that take place in the operating room. Follows clinic SOP for cleaning and disinfecting identified reusable medical equipment. Clerical Functions Cross trained to work with computerized dental patient record systems. Follows all HIPPA regulations in patient confidentiality. Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the doctors schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options. Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans. This includes clinic visits and consultations. Complies with mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process. Assists dentist in charting finds and treatment plans in patient records to work with Dental Record Manager. Answer and return telephone calls to patients and other healthcare professionals. Answer any questions patients may have about post operative treatments or any dental treatment. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Maintains personal confidentiality such as ID badges and personal ID codes. Patient Safety Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate instruction to patients about follow up care in language that is appropriate to their ability of understanding. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Monitors patient blood pressure for a surgical extraction. Checks the patient chart for allergies and health conditions that may affect treatment. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. 35 hours of continuing education per year Yearly infection control training Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models for use for opposing model for laboratory. Ability to fabricate night guards, bleach trays, and template for temporary crowns and bridges. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Direct Patient Care Remove sutures. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation for debris. Fabricates and cements temporary crowns and bridges. Coronal polishing of teeth. Place rubber dams. Clearing cement and supra-gingival debris from patients restorations. Provides post-operative instructions with take home instructions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00313-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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