Career Center

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions within the office. 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. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Experience and Education: Must have one of the following 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 and 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: (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 education and training, including coursework in radiation health and safety, described by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as fully qualifying for any grade level (copies of certificates of successful completion, plus transcripts or course descriptions of the required subjects must be filed in the employee's official personnel folder); OR, (c) 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. 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: Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level): 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Certified Dental Assistant and/or Registered Dental Assistant. Preferred at least 3 years of Dental Assistant experience. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking and bending are required. ["The duties of the Dental Assistant include, but are not limited to: Chair Side Assisting: Responds to basic medical emergencies Measures and records vital signs Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Supports dentist in oral prophylaxis treatments by flossing, polishing teeth and applying topical fluoride Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, cone beam) in digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by provider Infection Control: Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions: Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Assist with entering Return to Clinic Orders Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]