Dental Assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistant at the full-performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contract with the supervisor at the work site. 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: 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 on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification: 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 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification(for positions above the full performance level) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees MUST meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-5 Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level, GS-4, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. -OR- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. GS-6 Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies. 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: 3-years of experience as a Dental Assistant References: APRIL 19, 2011 VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Sitting at computers for long periods. Utilization of the telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients, staff members, and others is required. Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit. Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment. Deliver clean instruments to the clinic at least twice a day from SPS dental service. This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and elevators. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams, x-rays, and treatment is required. ["Functions for this position include, but are not limited to: A. Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns. B. Patient Care Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover; Assists in routine general dental procedures using four-handed dentistry concepts, basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures; Assists with basic restorative procedures; Responds to basic medical emergencies; Uses knowledge of vital signs to measure and record vital signs; Provides pre- and post-operative and other appropriate patient education instructions; Maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; Mixes basic dental materials; Assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure; Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site; Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction; Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed; Maintains dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards; C. Dental Imaging Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy; Exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; Mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or save digital imaging to electronic medical records: Evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider; Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed; Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques; Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame; Maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. D. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up 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; Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images. E. Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Initiates computerized progress note; Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. F. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; Follows computer security regulations. G. 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 The Joint Commission requirements; Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. H. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements; Completes mandatory annual training sessions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. \"working hours subject to change\" Financial Disclosure Report: Not required ********THIS IS A BARGAINING UNIT POSITION*********"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
