The Dental Assistant positions are located at the Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver Campus. 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. Experience and Education. 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). -OR- 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. English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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:GS-3 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, GS-3 -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: 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. GS-5 Experience or Education. 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, GS-4, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. -OR- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 GS-6 Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Sitting at computers for long periods. Utilization of the telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients, staff members, and others is required. Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit. Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment. Deliver clean instruments to the clinic at least twice a day from SPS dental service. This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and elevators. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams, x-rays, and treatment is required. Working Conditions: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation (dental and facial x-rays). Work involves exposure to fire (open flame, use of electrical equipment in the presence of oxygen). Exposure to chemicals (Methylmethacrylates, cements, alcohol, polymers, disinfecting and sterilizing agents). Exposure to blood, saliva, tissue and bone. The dental assistant wears PPE including face mask, protective glasses, gloves and gown. The dental assistant works in a clinic setting with some exposure to the hospital wards and the operating room. ["The incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to performing the following duties as a dental assistant in a hospital-based dental clinic: Assists in management of patient treatment As directed the dentist, the assistant will take digital radiographs and enter examination and treatment plan information into the dental record Enters appropriate codes used in the progress note documentation Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns Properly prepares instruments for sterilization and in a manner that does not delay clinical care Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics. The selectee will triage patients to determine the urgency of appointments being scheduled Monitor patient's condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Assures proper disposition of patient is related to the clerk for appropriate scheduling Assures that appropriate disposition is communicated to the patient Show courtesy, respect and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Performs any other procedure in line with established dental assisting techniques. Uses computerized dental record and follows privacy requirements related to the maintenance and restriction of release of information from the patients record. Assists dentists, consultants, residents and students chair-side in all phases of general dentistry including specialized areas of prosthodontics (fixed and removable), endodontic, oral surgery, periodontics, and implant procedures utilizing techniques of four handed dentistry where indicated and appropriate Instructs patients in preventive dental care; measures general nutrition as related to dental health, the common cause of tooth decay arid periodontal disease, and the care of prosthodontics appliances Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 07:30 am - 05:00 pm (9 hour shift available per service needs) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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