The incumbent of this position is responsible for performing the duties of a dental assistant in a hospital-based dental clinic at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. The incumbent serves as a staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the treating dentist and dental supervisors.

Duties

Duties inlude: Setting up operatory for planned procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Properly lays out all instruments and materials needed for each procedure and prepares the patient and operatory for said procedures, strictly adhering to all pertinent infection control policies and procedures. Assists providers in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry. Assists providers in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. 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. Ensures medicaments are properly secured during and following patient care. Monitors expiration dates of all supplies, medications, and instruments throughout assigned areas. Ensures instruments and unapproved items are not left in operatory during non-patient care hours. Ensures medicaments are properly secured during and following patient care. Monitors expiration dates of all supplies, medications, and instruments throughout assigned areas. Reviews daily clinical schedules in advance to fully prepare and identify veterans due for routine and/or preventative care to maintain optimal oral health and meet National Dental Quality Indicators. Facilitates teamwork to accommodate emergency patients, stat consults, and multiple appointments. Makes every effort to accommodate veteran appointments. Assists in filling providers' schedules due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Responsible for tracking lab cases for assigned dentist. Keeps dental laboratory neat and orderly and in compliance with infection control policies and processes. Monitors expiration dates and ensure proper storage of laboratory supplies. Takes alginate impressions and mixes various types of dental materials according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pours and prepared stone models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Provides accurate and understandable post-operative instructions to patients. Takes vital signs. Monitors patient during invasive treatment and recovery periods. Constructs temporary crowns. Applies fluoride and provides preventative education and oral hygiene instruction to patients. Keeps clinical spaces, work areas, computer areas, and shared common areas neat, organized,and free of clutter. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories and all aspects of patient care. Properly disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs.) Follows all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows all security regulations when using any government-owned electronic device. Complies with all educational requirements at the service, facility, VISN, and national levels. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92162-0 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. 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)]. 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 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).] 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.***DANB CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION*** 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 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: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06) or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc). References: II-G36-1 APRIL 19, 2011 VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. This work requires long periods of standing and walking as well as considerable bending and stooping. Patient mental and physical status will require the incumbent to be able to assist patients during transfer that is required of examinations and treatment. The incumbent of this position is expected to understand, remember, and apply oral and/or written instructions or other information; understand, remember, and communicate routine, factual information; understand problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions; understand opposing points of view and to integrate different viewpoints; organize thoughts and ideas into understandable terminology; organize and prioritize own work schedule; count accurately; and understand and follow basic instructions and guidelines. Work Environment: The incumbent is located on-site in the dental clinic where patients receive dental treatment. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts, which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting rooms, and dental clinics. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Special correct ergonomic precautions must be taken with sitting, typing, and assisting with care delivery. Since work requires high levels of patient interaction, employees may be exposed to communicable diseases and should take appropriate precautions.

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 Chillicothe VA Medical Center 17273 State Route 104 Chillicothe, OH 45601 US
• Name: Katelyn Clark
• Phone: 740-773-1141 X17353
• Email: [email protected]