Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist.

Duties

Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, including participation in the OR, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic, and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipluates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays. Also, but not limited to: Shows courtesy, respect and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Maintain both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital formats Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accuratly oriented and exposed. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Complies with Employee Education requirements. Applies topical fluoride and anesthetic. Provies post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00027-553 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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/or 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)]. (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying c. 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).] GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a dental assistant is credited according to its relationship to full-time workweek. For example, a dental assistant would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work GS-6: Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Examples of experience include, but are not limited to: serves as a staff dental assistant for routine dental procedures; responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post operative instructions; maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using the concepts of four handed dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): 1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. 3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. 4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Preferred Experience: 4 years of Dental Assisting experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard, dated April 19, 2011. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 lbs; light carrying (under 15 lbs); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6-8 hours); standing (6-8 hours); bending (6-8 hours); both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shade of colors; hearing (aid permitted); hearing without aid.

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 John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Joe Franklin
• Phone: 313-576-4705
• Email: [email protected]