Career Center

The Oklahoma City Veterans Health Care System, Dental Service is currently recruiting for nine (9) Dental Assistants at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma To qualify for this announcement, you must meet all the requirement by the closing date: BASIC REQUIREMENTS 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.) English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: a. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. b. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. c. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. d. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. e. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. f. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. g. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. h. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Preferred Experience: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is not required, but highly desirable. * Provides chairside assistance at least 25% of time spent in specialized dentistry as requires, anticipating dentist's need for various instruments, materials and services. * The dental assistant preforms daily preventive maintenance of dental instruments, equipment and accessories to ensure proper functioning, increase longevity and proper delivery of dental care. * Operates dental X-ray equipment to expose intra-and extra-oral radiographs. Exposes and processes dental radiographs and saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs diagnostic quality * Takes preliminary impressions; pours and trims models from impressions; constructs baseplates and bite rims fabricate custom trays, assists in preparation of laboratory prescriptions forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses. Evaluates quality of diagnostic cast. Selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes. The full performance level of this announcement is a GS-06, we will be only considering applicants at the GS- 6 grade level. Physical Requirement: Able to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have a good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. ["This position functions primarily in an out-patient clinic and some inpatient areas within the VA\nMedical Center. Assignments include but are not limited to:\nPrepares operatories receives, seats and drapes patients for treatment in dental clinic.\nObtain and records vital signs of patient.\nObtains and records information related to medical and dental history of patient.\nRecords treatment and examination information on patient records.\nAssists general dentists, periodontists, endodontists, Prosthodontist and Oral surgeon with different procedures including sedation if needed.\nProvides chairside assistance at least 25% of time spent in specialized dentistry as requires, anticipating dentist's need for various instruments, materials and services.\nPrepares consent forms for surgery and anesthesia.\nPrepares prescriptions for signature of the dentist.\nRoutes patients for medical tests and services when required.\nPackages tissue specimens and routes to pathology laboratory.\nResponds to basic medical emergencies. Maintains a current CPR certification.\nThe dental assistant maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.\nThe dental assistant preforms daily preventive maintenance of dental instruments, equipment and accessories to ensure proper functioning, increase longevity and proper delivery of dental care.\nThe dental assistant is to be a team builder. Demonstrate patients and tact in dealing with patients and co-workers to maintain effective working relations.\nThe dental assistant will treat patients and co-workers respectfully in order to maintain a professional working environment.\nThe dental assistant schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options, uses established business rules to schedule appointments for Veterans, this includes clinic visits, consultation s and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL), Complies with the mandatory framing requirements for the outpatient scheduling process.\nRequest specific supplies when needed. Maintain a sufficient inventory of supplies and accessories to ensure proper operation of the dental clinic.\nOperates dental X-ray equipment to expose intra-and extra-oral radiographs. Exposes and processes dental radiographs and saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs diagnostic quality.\nThe dental assistant will be familiar with and follow hospital infection control policies.\nThe dental assistant is to be knowledgeable of infection control protocols for dental instruments, equipment, and accessories to ensure a safe work environment, minimize cross contamination and provide a high level of infection control.\nRelays to patient instructions from dentist for all types of post -treatment care including\nspecialized instructions for post-surgery patients. Provides oral hygiene instruction in the common causes of decay, brushing and flossing techniques, and care of prosthodontic appliances.\nTakes preliminary impressions; pours and trims models from impressions; constructs baseplates and bite rims fabricate custom trays, assists in preparation of laboratory prescriptions forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses. Evaluates quality of diagnostic cast. Selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes.\nDecontaminates non-critical medical supplies and equipment used in any setting where patient care is provided (excluding equipment and supplies that require specialized cleaning procedures per the manufacturer). Determines and uses the appropriate methods\nfor removing gross contamination and providing effective cleaning between patient use of non-critical reusable medical equipment and supplies based on direction provided in the Reusable Medical Equipment Medical Center Memorandum. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #: Dental Assistant / PD000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]