Summary

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.

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
• 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/or 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 (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 Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry
• OR - (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD) - II-G36-1 APRIL 19 - 2011 VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36
• 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
• 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
• Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Professional Dental Assistant Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - abilities [(KSAs)] - and other characteristics (also referred to as "core competencies") associated with current professional dental assisting practice
• Evidence of such experience includes graduation from a certified dental assisting training program - experience in private practice - VHA - Department of Defense (DoD) - or other federal[ - state - community or charitable] health care agency
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable after the training program certifies that the individual has completed all required courses - an internship if it is part of the program - and graduated with passing grades
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met: GS-3 Grade Determination Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Grade Determination Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - 1 year of experience at the next lower level - OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation CODA
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies
• Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• GS-5 Grade Determination 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 that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• OR - (2) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA
• In addition to meeting paragraph (1) or (2) above - the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA' Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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 Grade Determination (Full Performance Level) Experience
• At least one (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: Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Preferred Experience: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties my include but may not be limited to: Customer Service Relationships with management - co-workers - patients - and the general public are consistently courteous - respectful - and cooperative in nature
• Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals
• Employee will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level
• Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Dental Imaging Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e
• TMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images 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 Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations 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 Joint Commission requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Direct Patient Care Monitors 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 Applies topical fluoride Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45 am to 4:30 pm
• Schedule subject to change based on the needs of the Agency
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92327-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required