Summary

This position serves as staff Dental Assistant with the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. There are 2 positions open at the Wyoming (Michigan) VA Clinic. NOTE: To qualify you must have an active Radiography Certification. See Qualifications-*Certification*.

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 Experience and Education: six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work
• OR successful completion of a 1-year dental program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• OR Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying
• *Certification*: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CRF 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
• This can include any of the following: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assistant 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
• 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 Determination GS-3 Experience or Education None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and require daily close supervision
• Grade Determination GS-4 Experience or Education In addition to the basic requirements - 1 year of experience at the next lower level - OR - 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies
• Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• Grade Determination GS-5 Experience or Education (1) In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate] at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• OR - (2) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality
• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement
• Basic] knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA
• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol
• Grade Determinations GS-6: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Experience includes duties such as: responds to basic medical emergencies
• measures and records vital signs
• provides pre- and post operative 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 KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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.8
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• Preferred Experience: Currently practicing as a Dental Assistant - current or past VA experience - Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB-CDA)
• The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G36 - Dental Assistant Qualification Standards - dated April 19 - 2011.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-3 - GS-4 - GS-5 or GS-6 depending on qualifications and meeting KSAs of each grade level
• Physical Requirements: Work requires some physical exertion such as sitting - standing and bending for long periods of time
• ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Some patients may utilize various mobility or transportation modalities (i.e
• stretcher) and it may be necessary to treat them in an awkward position
• Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases
• Incumbent must use good ergonomic technique and good safe practices

Duties

• Duties of the Dental Assistant include but are not limited to the following: Seating patients for care
• Identifying patients according to hospital protocol
• Assisting in routine dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
• Passing instruments safely - accurately and efficiently
• Keeping operative field clear of debris and retracting oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Preparing dental medicaments and impression materials
• Assisting in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - implant placement and restoration
• Maintaining dental operatory in a clean and orderly fashion
• exposing both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital formats
• Demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories
• disinfecting oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly preparing instrument for transfer to SPD for sterilization
• following SOP for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Utilizing computerized scheduling package
• electronic records - Share Point - Outlook
• initiating computerized progress notes
• Assisting the dentist in charting findings and treatment plan in patient's record
• modifying care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities
• Monitoring patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Monitoring patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery following the procedure
• Applying topical anesthetic and fluoride
• Providing post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 93067-A - 93068-A - 91943-A - 91944-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required