The Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room. Assists with crown and bridge, fillings, root canals, and implants. Assist with IVCS in surgery and other dental procedures.

Duties

Responsible for the imaging quality control program, troubleshooting and appropriate referral of identified imaging issues. Participates in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis. Specialty functions may include managing post-surgical bleeding, tying-in arch wires and selecting and placing orthodontic brackets. Gathers diagnostic information, perform pulp vitality testing, chart existing conditions, place rubber dams and matrices, select shades, place retraction cord, place and remove temporary restorations, fabricate temporary crowns and remove permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. Place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and clean and polish removable prostheses. Facilitates team or unit processes by working collaboratively with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed, that good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained, and that team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Serves in staff dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties in lead dental assistant positions. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently plans and completes tasks based on established protocols/accepted dental practices. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations 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. Complies with Employee Education requirements, Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. 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. Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. Experience and Education:(1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR,(2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR,(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification: Public Law requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures 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. 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). 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). Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. (Proof of certification is required). Grade Determinations: GS-8 Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Supervisory Dental Assistant. At this level, dental assistants serve either as a Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant or Supervisory Dental Assistant. For all positions above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time.(a) GS-8 Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant 1. Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: a Competency in expanded functions to include placement and finishing of permanent restorative materials such as amalgam and/or composite; or recording of final impressions. b. Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of all aspects of dental imaging. 3. Assignment. Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: supragingival scaling; placing pit and fissure sealants; placing and finishing permanent restorative materials such as amalgam, glass ionomer or composite resin; making final impressions and adjusting dentures, applying pit and fissure sealants, placing liners and bases, carving amalgams, placing, curing and finishes composite resin restorations. Responsible for the imaging quality control program, troubleshooting and appropriate referral of identified imaging issues. Participates in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis. Specialty functions may include managing post-surgical bleeding, tying-in arch wires and selecting and placing orthodontic brackets. DANB Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is required at this grade level. (Provide proof) References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G36 Hybrid 38 Dental Assistant Qualifications Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-08. Physical Requirements: Long standing, sitting, and lifting 22 lbs. or greater. Bending and reaching is required to provide treatment of patients. Bending is required when removing supplies from cabinets or replenishing supplies in cabinets.

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 Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: Crystal Conley
• Phone: 901-288-8689
• Email: [email protected]