Dental Assistant

SummaryThe Dental Assistants will be assigned to Dental Service at the Veterans Administration Health Care System in Fayetteville - NC and will perform a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures and provides chairside assistance in the dental clinic.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 PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyDental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this partExperience and EducationExperienceSix 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).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) Certification 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 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)GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant 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: 1Ability to identify normal oral anatomy2Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures3Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs4Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist5Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats6Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry7Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records8Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory proceduresAll qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application packageWe will not make assumptions when reviewing applicationsFailure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualificationIt is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application packageThe full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental AssistantsReference: VA Handbook 5005/46 - Part II - Appendix G36 Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing - walking - sitting - and bending are requiredPushing Dental equipment and carts is necessary to deliver items to and from the operatory or procedure sitePushing and/or lifting of patients from gurneys and/or wheelchairs from and to the waiting area and transferring them into and out of the dental chair is required to position for radiographs - dental examination - and treatmentReaching above shoulders - use of fingers - and both hands are requiredFull dexterity of both hands - arms - and wristMust be able to treat patients while sitting and/or standing for long periods of timeMust have the ability to distinguish basic colorsThis job requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to evaluate and make good decisionsMust be able to multitask and have the ability the work independently.DutiesDental Assistants is responsible for the following duties but not limited to: Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentistPerforms assigned selected procedures with some independenceSome complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisorAssists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervisionCustomer Service: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recoveryChairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnoverPasses instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortablyPrepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocolsAssists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistryAssists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restorationMaintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standardsDental Imaging Exposes 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 frameInfection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatoriesDisinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contaminationProperly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilizationFollows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing imagesUtilizes all proper PPE per national and local policies Follows all hospital infection control protocols including hand hygieneClerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointmentsInitiates computerized progress noteAssists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient recordsLocates/tracks all pending patient lab cases for use during patient appointmentsProperly completes all dental laboratory cardsInformation Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal informationFollows computer security regulationsPatient 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 Joint Commission requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Direct Patient Care Monitors patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedureApplies topical anesthetic at the injection site Applies topical fluorideMakes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabricationRemoves plaque and soft debris from removable prosthesesProvides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instructionProvides post-operative and other appropriate patient educationCompletes medication reconciliation and TBI screenings as appropriateEmployee Education Complies with Employee Education requirementsCompletes mandatory annual safety training sessionsDental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study modelsMakes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching traysPerforms other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allowWork Schedule: CompressedMonday - FridayWeek One: 7:00am-4:30pmWeek Two: 7:00 am-4:30 pmM - T - W - FThursday Off Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized