The Dental Assistant performs duties necessary to assist the dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. This includes a wide range more complex work in the dental disciplines or restorative, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, implatyology and oral surgery.

Duties

This represents the full performance level. Dental Assistants at this level (GS-6) fulfill all the functions of a GS-5 Dental Assistant but have experience in working as an assistant to a dental specialist or in a hospital. The incumbent will be responsible for performing the duties of a dental assistant in an outpatient dental clinic. The incumbent works in the Dental Service at the Evansville Healthcare Center (EHCC) providing services for outpatients, under the direct and indirect supervision of a dentist. MAJOR DUTIES: Receive and prepare patients. This may involve triaging the patient to determine the urgency of appointment date; as directed by the dentist, expose and develop, when appropriate, intra- and extra-oral dental images, record medical history, and treatment plan information relayed by the dentist. Maintain a variety of exam reports relating to dental activities and daily enter upcoming appointments in the VISTA computer system as well as the Dental Record Manager (DRM) computer program, to include selection of appropriate CPT and Diagnosis codes in the progress note documentation. Maintains dental equipment and materials in a clean and operative condition and properly stores and maintains adequate levels of supplies in the treatment rooms. If, at any time, the incumbent notices any supplies running low in the supply room, he/she immediately notifies the responsible person so that supplies can be reordered. Properly lays out all instruments and materials needed for each treatment procedure and prepares the patient and operatory for said procedures, strictly adhering to all pertinent infection control policies and procedures. Assists dentists at chair side in all phases of general dentistry, including specialized areas of prosthodontics (fixed and removable), endodontics, periodontics and oral surgery procedures utilizing techniques of four-handed sit down dentistry where indicated and appropriate. Following surgery, debrides the surgical site, prepares surgical dressings and removes contaminated instruments and materials and decontaminates, prepares and packages instruments for proper sterilization by SPS following current infection control procedures. Follows Reusable Medical Equipment protocol as applicable and is certified annually on the specific equipment for which they are responsible. Packages tissue specimen and routes to pathology laboratory. Also helps apply rubber dam and place cotton rolls to isolate operative site during restorative treatment. Instructs patients in preventative dental care; measures general nutrition as related to dental health, the common cause of tooth decay and periodontal disease, and the care of prosthodontic appliances. Also relays post-surgical instructions from dentists for all types of post-surgical and post-treatment care. Performs any other procedures in line with established dental assisting techniques, including acting as a receptionist when needed. Each Dental Assistant is crossed trained in and knowledgeable of all front office processes. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, mixes various types of dental materials. On an as needed basis, the employee may be required to pour stone models from preliminary impressions and perform other minor types of dental laboratory procedures to assist dentists prosthodontically. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience/Education: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR, 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). 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 required for all positions above the full performance level. For this position, it is preferred but not required. 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-6 Dental Assistant 1. Experience: At least 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: 2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G36 Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing and walking are required as well as considerable bending and stooping. Often, the assistant must assist patients from wheelchairs and help support a patient if he is on a stretcher or gurney.

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 Marion VA Medical Center 2401 West Main Street Marion, IL 62959 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]