The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill a Dental Assistant position within the Dentistry department in Wichita Kansas. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Fair Labor Standards Act: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit Status: Covered

Duties

Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Aids customers with questions or concerns, provides the service recovery. Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safety, 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. Assists in specialized oral surgical dental procedures, including functioning in an operating room environment. Assists in specialized endodontic procedures. Assists in prosthodontic procedures, both removable and fixed. Verifies time-out procedures prior to oral surgery. Dental Imaging: 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 up operatories. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by Sterile Processing Service (SPS) standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments. 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. Maintains monthly monitor sheets for extractions. Rx's, anesthesia records, surgical markings, and time-outs. Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Scans consent forms into VISTA Imaging. 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 (TJC) 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. Acts as instructor to dental assisting students. Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Direct Patient Care: Suture removal. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Recement and fabricate temporary crowns. Coronal polishing of teeth. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Packs retraction cord. Adjust dentures under supervision. Insert dentures under supervision. Provides patient education regarding procedures and home care. Places rubber dams.

Requirements

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 II. 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). Transcripts required 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. 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. 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-03: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04: In addition to the basic requirements, one-year of experience at the next lower level. OR Two 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). AND In addition, you 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-05: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate] at least one-year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR Successful completion of a full four-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. AND In addition, you 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-06: You must possess at least one-year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. AND In addition, you 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G38, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-30 lbs.); Straight pulling and pushing; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking & Standing (up to 6 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision 20/50; and Emotional and Mental Stability.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Robert J Dole VA Medical and Regional Office Center 5500 East Kellogg Drive Wichita, KS 67218 US
• Name: John Balmer
• Phone: 316-469-0755
• Email: [email protected]