Summary

The North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a Dental Assistant. Dental Assistant performs a full range of duties with some independence in assignment - with direct and indirect supervision from the Lead Dental Assistant or treating Dentist. Examples of procedures may be diagnostic - restorative and/or surgical in nature. Examples of procedures may be diagnostic - restorative and/or surgical in nature.

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
• 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-Documentation Submitted 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
• (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)-Documentation Submitted
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant
• At this level - dental assistants serve either as a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Lead Dental Assistant
• For all positions above the full performance level - duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time
• (a) Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant
• 1
• Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs 2
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities a
• Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions
• b
• Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc)
• 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-07
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties but are not limited to: Chairside Assisting Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic - and periodontal care and procedures
• Sets up operatory suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• 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 manufacturer's instructions
• Accomplished all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
• Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental standards
• Restores teeth prepared by dentist with permanent and temporary fillings: places bases and liners
• selects - adapts and places matrices to normal and abnormal teeth
• places - condenses - carves - finishes and polishes amalgam restorations - including those involving grossly decayed teeth requiring cusp replacement and retentive pins
• places - compresses and finishes synthetic restorations including multi-surfaced anterior restorations
• places and contours temporary restorations
• Supports dentist in endodontic treatments by applying rubber dam - removing temporary filling using low speed handpiece - and cleansing and drying operative field
• After dentist treats patient - assistant irrigates tooth - applies prescribed medications and closes tooth with temporary filling
• Takes preliminary impressions for study models - modifying impression tray as needed
• Pours and trims models
• Constructs custom impression trays
• Retracts gingiva from tooth for final impressions by placing and removing retraction cord
• Selects - adapts and seats stainless steel crowns
• constructs and cements temporary acrylic crowns and bridges
• Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings and removing sutures
• Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures - general nutrition as related to dental health - the common causes of tooth decay - and the care of prosthodontic appliances
• Applies desensitizing agents - tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified areas of the oral cavity
• Provides chair side assistance - fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments - materials and services
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Proficient - and demonstrates competency and the ability to set up and/or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) for all equipment - as required by sterilization guidance
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP} for RME
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the provider's schedule due to late cancellations or failed appointments by working with the clinic scheduler/Medical Support Assistant - Administrative Officer - and/or facility GPM
• Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPM 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
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm Monday to Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 50255F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)