Summary

Incumbent will serve as part of the Specialty Care Service with the VA Prescott - AZ Healthcare System. The dental assistant serves as a supporting member of the dental care team performing a full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties - with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant or treating dentist. She/he complies with guidelines and policies set forth by the Specialty Care Service - NAVAHCS - VHA policy - and VA statutes and policy.

Qualifications

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:

• 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)]
• 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)
• 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
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• 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 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 level
• 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: GS-06 Experience
• At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-5 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• 3
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• 4
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• 5
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• 6
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• 7
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• 8
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• Assignment
• Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties - with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant - dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist
• Assignments at this level include - but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry
• assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery - periodontal therapy - endodontic - prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration
• anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment
• takes preliminary impressions
• selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes
• pours - trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts
• fabricates custom trays
• Preferred Experience: Digital Dental Experience (Scanning/Design) 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-06 Physical Requirements: Excellent manual dexterity and visual acuity are necessary to perform most duties
• Prolonged sitting - bending - standing and occasional lifting of heavy objects - up to 35 pounds - are required.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Perform routine and specialty dental care
• Assists in complex procedures in specialty dentistry under general supervision
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures in the specialty areas of oral surgery - endodontics - and implant dentistry Assist the Dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• Provide assistance to customers regarding any questions or concerns - providing service recovery as needed
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Passes instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
• Accomplish all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - and dental implants
• Prepares for and assists in Operating Room when necessary - observing Operating Room protocols
• Dental Imaging - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality accurately oriented and exposed
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized
• Complete Imaging requests within the desired time frame
• Use proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments in compliance with scheduling processes and procedures
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am- 4pm Monday- Friday 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 PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized