Summary

GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant - lead dental assistant - or dentist.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• OR - 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)
• 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 all positions above the full performance level (GS-6)
• English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level - GS-6 - or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• These include: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• AND Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: a
• Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions
• b
• Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc)
• Preferred Experience: Dental assisting 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-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Expanded function duties: i
• Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity ii
• Gathers diagnostic information iii
• Performs pulp vitality testing iv
• Charts existing restoration and conditions v
• Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses vi
• Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands vii
• Places and removes retraction cord viii
• Places and removes intracoronal temporary restorations ix
• Removes temporary crown/bridges and clean tooth preparations of debri x
• Fabricates - adjusts and cements temporary crowns/bridges xi
• Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces xii
• Removes sutures xiii
• Places and removes surgical dressings xiv
• Monitors local anesthetics and analgesics xv
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth xvi
• Removes hard accretions from and adjusts - polishes removable prostheses xvii
• Demonstrates oral hygiene procedures xviii
• Places and removes matrices for restorations xix
• Irrigates extraction sites xx
• Captures CBCT images xxi
• Competent in using the digital dentistry equipment to include scanning - transferring - and fabricating lab prostheses Customer Service i
• Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public ii
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery Chairside Assisting i
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover ii
• Passes instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently iii
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably iv
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions v
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols vi
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry vii
• Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration viii
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Dental Imaging i
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e
• TMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats ii
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider iii
• Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed iv
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized v
• Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization i
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories ii
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination iii
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization iv
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment v
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed vi
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions i
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments ii
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments iii
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records iv
• Performs as time-keeper - dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant
• Information Management i
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information ii
• Follows computer security regulations Patient Safety i
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) ii
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients iii
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements iv
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Work Schedule: Full-time
• M-Th - 7:30am-5pm - every other F - 7:30am-4pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized