Summary

Dental assistants at this level serve at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties - with indirect supervision from the treating dentist. The dental assistant assists the dentist in various aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) English Language Proficiency
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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)]
• 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
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting 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 (DoD)
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D)
• Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• 2
• 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: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• [Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling]
• 2
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies]
• 3
• [Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval]
• 4
• Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• 5
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.] 3
• 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 that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• 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 to meeting paragraph (1) or (2) above - the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's:] Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality]
• 2
• [Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement]
• 3
• [Basic] knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures [ ]
• 4
• [Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA]
• 5
• [Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol]
• 4.GS-6 [Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level)] Experience
• At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs [ ]: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• 3
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• 4
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• 5
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• 6
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• 7
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• 8
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• Preferred Experience: Experience working with dental residents and medically complex patients
• 3 years of dental assistant experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.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: Light lifting (under 15 lbs.)
• light carrying (under 15 lbs.)
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (up to 2 hours)
• standing (up to 3 hours)
• sitting for periods of time
• working closely with others
• Patient Safety Competency Statement: The incumbent will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient
• Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the reporting procedures involving safety issues relating to patients.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions/Duties: 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/Patient Care Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using four-handed dentistry concepts - basic knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures
• Assists with basic restorative procedures
• Responds to basic medical emergencies
• Dental Imaging Exposes and processes basic dental radiographs
• Saves digital imaging to electronic medical records
• Evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality
• Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly pre-treats/prepares instruments for pick-up by SPS for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• 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
• Participates in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual training sessions
• Maintains RQI/BLS certification as required by medical center policy
• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position
• The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position
• The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS-512-24195-F - FS-512-224196-F - FS-512-24197-F - FS-512-241-26625-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May not be Authorized.