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Dental Assistants at this level perform a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the treating Dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a dentist. 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 a. 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.) b. Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. c. 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. (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 Dentistry. OR (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) (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. (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. (4) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is required for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full performance level. (5) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. (d) Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. (e) English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant At this level, dental assistants serve either as a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Lead Dental Assistant. For all positions above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time. a. Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant 1. Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 2, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc). 3. Assignment: In this position, the employee performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting of existing conditions, placing of rubber dam and matrices, selecting shades, placing retraction cord, placing and removing temporary restorations, fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. In addition, the expanded dental function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of Dental Assistant experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G36. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. ["The incumbent is responsible for the following list of duties . Chairside Assisting: - Responds to basic medical emergencies - Measures and records vital signs - Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure - Charts existing restorations and conditions - Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses - Provides chair side assistance, fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments, materials and services. - Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably - Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions - Performs pulp vitality testing - Supports dentist in endodontic treatments by applying and removing rubber dam and cleansing and drying operative field. After dentist treats patient, irrigates tooth, applies prescribed medications and closes tooth with temporary filling. - Places and removes retraction cord - Places and removes intra-coronal temporary restoration - Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris - Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns Removes temporary and permanent cement from supragingival surfaces - Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post­ extraction dressings and removing sutures. - Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified areas of the oral cavity. - Supports dentist in oral prophylaxis treatments by flossing, polishing teeth and applying topical fluoride - Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses - Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses - Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocol - Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics Dental Imaging - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed - Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging in digital formats. - Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by provider - Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning dental operatories - Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination - Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization - Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment - Instruments are properly pre-treated for pick-up by SPS personnel - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions - Assists in filling gaps in the dentist's schedule due cancellations and failed appointments - Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records - Assist with entering Return to Clinic Orders Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information 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 JCAHO requirements - Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress - Monitors patient (BP, pulse), and condition during invasive procedures and during recovery period following procedure Employee Education - Complies with Employee Education requirements - Maintains BLS certification that includes operation of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) per Medical Center Policy Dental Laboratory Functions - Takes preliminary impressions for study models - Pours impressions and prepares study models - Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims - Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #90999949 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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