Dental Assistant

Summary*This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until April 27 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 12 - 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.*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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)Experience and Education ExperienceSix 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 field(1) Provisions 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).(2) 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) Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointmentThis [will result in removal from theGS-681 series and] may result in termination of employmentCertification 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 levelGrade Determinations: 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 level (see GS-5 Assignment below)GS-5 AssignmentAssignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergenciesmeasures and records vital signsprovides pre- and post- operative instructionsmaintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction - suction - irrigation - drying - placing and removing cotton rollsusing the concepts of four- handed 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 standards.] In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 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 procedures]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)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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnoverPossesses advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic - and periodontal careAssists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistryPasses instruments safely - accurately - and efficientlyKeeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortablyPrepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructionsAccomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocolsMonitors - and performs basic interpretation of - patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedureApplies topical anesthetic at the injection siteTakes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabricationPours impressions and prepares study modelsMakes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rimsRemoves plaque and soft debris from removable prosthesesProvides procedure-specific - patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instructionProvides post-operative and other appropriate patient educationAssists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restorationFabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching traysExposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - cephalometric - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formatsDemonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatoriesDisinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contaminationProperly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilizationFollows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical EquipmentWorks closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayedDemonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing imagesAssists 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 recordsMaintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal informationFollows computer security regulationsModifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patientsParticipates in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission requirementsMonitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distressComplies with Employee Education requirementsCompletes mandatory annual training sessionsWork Schedule: 2-3 Saturdays Per Month - 7:30 AM -4:00 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesPaid 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 available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 59277F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized