Dental Assistant

Summary

The incumbent will receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor on site. Dental assistants will assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Patient Care: Shows courtesy, respect and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit. Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care. Assists in routine general dental procedures; passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment/recovery. Pours and takes impressions for diagnostic casts and prosthetic fabrication; prepares study molds. Makes final denture impression trays and bite rims. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides procedure-specific, patient preventative education, post-operative and oral hygiene instruction. Assists in specialized dental procedures; oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Dental Imaging: Possesses the ability to identify normal anatomy. Exposed both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital format. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed. Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized. Clerical Functions: Assists with filling gaps in doctors schedule due to late cancellation or failed appointments. Assists in charting findings, treatment plans, and treatment in patient records. Initiates computerized treatment and progress notes. Return to clinic orders; completes clinical reminders. Prepares cases for dental laboratory and ensures timely retrieval of completed cases. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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

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/.