Staff Dental Assistant

SummaryThe Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is seeking a Staff Dental Assistant to work in the Dental Service. This position will be located in Houston - TX. Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyExperienceSix months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the workOR - EducationSuccessful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)Experience/Education CombinationEquivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifyingCertificationPublic Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75Essentially - 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 fieldProvisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - Inc.OR - (b) 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 DentistryOR - (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD)Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirableCertification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental AssistantsDANB certification is not required - but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level and is required for all positions above the full performance levelMay 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)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 appointmentThis will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employmentGrade Determinations: GS-6 - Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) ExperienceAt least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that levelIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Ability to identify normal oral anatomyAdvanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and proceduresAbility to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signsAbility to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentistAbility to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formatsAbility to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistryAbility to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental recordsAbility to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory proceduresPreferred Experience: Chair-side AssistingKnowledge of planned dental proceduresAbility to pass instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently (four-handed dentistry)Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within the standard infection control protocolsDental ImagingIndependently exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - Ceph - Cone Beam) in traditional and/or digital formatsThe dental assistant must take clinically acceptable x-raysKnowledge of Nomad Portable X-ray DevicesAbility to correctly mount images correctly in CPRS/DRM Plus System within the desired timeframe and minimize retakesFloater Dental AssistantThe ability to work independent multiple providers daily in a fast-paced EnvironmentCustomer ServiceMeets the needs of customers and effectively communicate dental terminology with customer and dental teamEffectively interacts in a professional & courteous manner with supervisor and other employees to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of the organizationSpecialty ClinicsMust have working knowledge in all areas of dentistry including General - Periodontics - Prosthodontics - Endodontics and other areas if called to performReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the positionMay require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employmentWork Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautionsthe area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilatedHowever - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.DutiesThe duties of the Staff Dental Assistant in Dental Service include - but are not limited to: Responds to basic medical emergenciesMeasures and records vital signsProvides pre-and postoperative instructionsMaintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction - suction - irrigation - drying - placing and removing cotton rollsUsing the concepts of fourhanded dentistry - assists with basic restorative proceduresMixes basic dental materialsAssists in preparation of laboratory prescription formsApplies pressure indicator paste to removable prosthesesExposes and processes basic dental radiographsMounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical recordsEvaluates radiographs for diagnostic qualityMaintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standardsKeeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortablyPrepares dental medicaments and impression material per manufacturer's instructionsWorks closely with the Lead Dental Assistants to comply with Employee Education requirements and complete all mandatory annual safety training sessionsExposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.eTMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formatsModifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the providerImages are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposedDental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimizedImaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frameShares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to othersPlace contaminated instruments in bins for sterilization by SPS verifying the correct instruments are in each kitIn addition - must ensure all dental assistants are following proper protocolMust disinfect all impressions and prostheses before taking them to the dental laboratoryMake accurate entries into the VistA or CPRS data base and Dental Record Manager PlusPossess basic knowledge in all areas of dentistry including but not limited to - General Dentistry - Periodontics - Prosthodontic - Endodontics - and other areas if called upon to perform these tasks in emergency situationsPlaces appropriate instruments and materials in the operatory for the identified procedure so there is no break in the treatment to retrieve something that was not availablePasses instruments according to the technique developed for dentistIn addition - keeps field clear for operation - free of debris - water and/or bloodRecognize the signs and symptoms of a medical emergency and to provide the dentist with appropriate armamentaria at his/her request or their own initiativeThe recognizable dental emergencies or urgencies would include but not be limited to heart attack - choking on foreign bodies - syncope - vomiting or urinationWork Schedule (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility): Monday: 7:00 a.m- 7:30 p.m.Tuesday: OFFWednesday: 4:00 p.m- 9:00 p.m.Thursday 2:00 p.m- 7:00 p.m.Friday: 7:00 a.m- 7:30 p.m.Saturday 7:30 a.m- 2:00 p.m.Sunday: OFFRecruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 580-02282-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.