Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Summary

Dental assistants at this level serve as expanded-function dental assistants independently performing advanced clinical duties in assigned specialties at least 25% of the time. Higher-level assignments cover greater scope, complexity and variety and require advanced clinical skills. The dental assistant assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties

• Duties include, but not limited to: Expanded Function Duties: (Must comprise at least 25% of the incumbent's workload.) Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity; Gathers diagnostic information; Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Assists customers with questions or concerns and provides service recovery. Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover; Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care; Dental Imaging: Possesses comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.); Possesses ability to identify anatomy; Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories; Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination; Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Initiates computerized progress note; Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. 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; Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models; Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims; Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements; Completes mandatory annual training sessions; Maintains DANB certification as required for above full-performance-level dental assisting positions. Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday: 7:30am - 5:00pm & Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm (every other Friday) Compressed/Flexible: Not available Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. 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) Telework: Ad-hoc- as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.