Dental Assistant
Major Duties Include but are not limited to:
Uses word processing software for administrative tasks to include, electronic documents and filing, reports and emails Decontaminates non-critical medical supplies and equipment Orders and maintains supplies Records treatment and examination information on patient records Follows clinic infection control policies to clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, and operatories Prepares operatories, receives, seats and drapes patients for treatment Packages tissue specimens and routes them to the pathological laboratory Provides chair side assistance in both general and specialized dentistry Relays patient instructions from the dentist for all types of post-operative treatment care, oral hygiene and oral health Provides oral hygiene instructions on decay prevention, brushing and flossing techniques, and care of prosthodontics appliances Takes preliminary impressions, pours and trims models from impressions, constructs base plates and bite rims Operates dental equipment, which includes x-ray equipment, sterilizers, vital sign monitors Performs preventive maintenance Maintains a current CPR certification Schedules outpatient clinic appointments Prepares consent forms for surgery and anesthesia Uses word processing software for administrative tasks to include, electronic documents and filing, reports and emails Decontaminates non-critical medical supplies and equipment Orders and maintains supplies Records treatment and examination information on patient records Follows clinic infection control policies to clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, and operatories Prepares operatories, receives, seats and drapes patients for treatment Packages tissue specimens and routes them to the pathological laboratory Provides chair side assistance in both general and specialized dentistry Relays patient instructions from the dentist for all types of post-operative treatment care, oral hygiene and oral health Provides oral hygiene instructions on decay prevention, brushing and flossing techniques, and care of prosthodontics appliances Takes preliminary impressions, pours and trims models from impressions, constructs base plates and bite rims Operates dental equipment, which includes x-ray equipment, sterilizers, vital sign monitors Performs preventive maintenance Maintains a current CPR certification Schedules outpatient clinic appointments Prepares consent forms for surgery and anesthesia Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 7:
30 AM - 4:
00 PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Experience and Education. 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. (1) 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). Preferred
Experience:
Thorough knowledge of dental assisting/terminology. Keyboard/computer experience is very helpful since our patients' dental/medical chart is electronic. Incumbent should be proficient in exposure of dental x-rays and acquire national radiography certificate within one year of employment. Expanded functions are preferred but not required. A varied knowledge of dental specialties such as endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, geriatric dentistry and prosthodontics is very helpful. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements listed above for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS 5 level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Examples of experience may 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 four-handed 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 saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. 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-06. Physical Requirements:
Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment physical. It may require some lifting (10-20 lbs) occasionally. Reaching above shoulder; Frequent keyboarding (4-7 hours per day); Sitting (4-7 hours per day); Walking (up to 6 hours per day); Standing (up to 8 hours per day); Infrequent climbing/descending of stairs; Some bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Correctable near sighted and far sighted vision; Hearing (Aid permitted).
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Uses word processing software for administrative tasks to include, electronic documents and filing, reports and emails Decontaminates non-critical medical supplies and equipment Orders and maintains supplies Records treatment and examination information on patient records Follows clinic infection control policies to clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, and operatories Prepares operatories, receives, seats and drapes patients for treatment Packages tissue specimens and routes them to the pathological laboratory Provides chair side assistance in both general and specialized dentistry Relays patient instructions from the dentist for all types of post-operative treatment care, oral hygiene and oral health Provides oral hygiene instructions on decay prevention, brushing and flossing techniques, and care of prosthodontics appliances Takes preliminary impressions, pours and trims models from impressions, constructs base plates and bite rims Operates dental equipment, which includes x-ray equipment, sterilizers, vital sign monitors Performs preventive maintenance Maintains a current CPR certification Schedules outpatient clinic appointments Prepares consent forms for surgery and anesthesia Uses word processing software for administrative tasks to include, electronic documents and filing, reports and emails Decontaminates non-critical medical supplies and equipment Orders and maintains supplies Records treatment and examination information on patient records Follows clinic infection control policies to clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, and operatories Prepares operatories, receives, seats and drapes patients for treatment Packages tissue specimens and routes them to the pathological laboratory Provides chair side assistance in both general and specialized dentistry Relays patient instructions from the dentist for all types of post-operative treatment care, oral hygiene and oral health Provides oral hygiene instructions on decay prevention, brushing and flossing techniques, and care of prosthodontics appliances Takes preliminary impressions, pours and trims models from impressions, constructs base plates and bite rims Operates dental equipment, which includes x-ray equipment, sterilizers, vital sign monitors Performs preventive maintenance Maintains a current CPR certification Schedules outpatient clinic appointments Prepares consent forms for surgery and anesthesia Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 7:
30 AM - 4:
00 PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Experience and Education. 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. (1) 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). Preferred
Experience:
Thorough knowledge of dental assisting/terminology. Keyboard/computer experience is very helpful since our patients' dental/medical chart is electronic. Incumbent should be proficient in exposure of dental x-rays and acquire national radiography certificate within one year of employment. Expanded functions are preferred but not required. A varied knowledge of dental specialties such as endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, geriatric dentistry and prosthodontics is very helpful. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements listed above for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS 5 level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Examples of experience may 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 four-handed 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 saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. 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-06. Physical Requirements:
Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment physical. It may require some lifting (10-20 lbs) occasionally. Reaching above shoulder; Frequent keyboarding (4-7 hours per day); Sitting (4-7 hours per day); Walking (up to 6 hours per day); Standing (up to 8 hours per day); Infrequent climbing/descending of stairs; Some bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Correctable near sighted and far sighted vision; Hearing (Aid permitted).
- Department:
0681 Dental Assistant - Salary Range:
$38,921 to $50,598 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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