Columbia VA Health Care System is seeking an experienced Dental Assistant for the Dental Clinic located in Greenville, SC. The Dental Assistant functions under the direct supervision of a Greenville staff dentist, providing assistance to Dentists, Dental Hygienists and expanded function Dental auxiliaries (EFDA) to provide Dental services to the veteran population enrolled at the Greenville VA Clinic.

Duties

The Dental Assistant will provide assistance to Dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Also, provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns and service recovery. The Dental Assistant performs the following duties: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Assists in routine general dental procedures as well as specialized dental procedures such as oral & maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics. Conducts dental imaging. Prepares instruments for sterilization by SPD standards and does not delay clinical care. Follows infection control procedures. Schedule appointments. Charts findings and treatment plans in patient records. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bit rims. Removes sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris. Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns. Place rubber dams and matrix bands. Complete impressions of diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Coronal polishing of teeth. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Dental Assistant GS-0681-6/PD01453A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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/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). If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR; Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application. 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). 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). NOTE: 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Regulations. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience/Education: At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level (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). Assignments: [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. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. Available in the Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Light Carrying (15-44 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Both legs required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and emotional stability required. This position requires some exposure to blood borne pathogens, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Deirdre Martinez
• Email: [email protected]