Dental Assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistant at the full-performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contract with the supervisor at the work site.

Duties

Functions for this position include, but are not limited to: Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Chair-Side Assisting Obtains and records basic medical (B.P., medications, etc.), dental (charting, missing teeth, caries, etc.) and dietary histories. Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure 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. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general dental procedures. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics. Dental Imaging Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling options in VistA to schedule and cancel appointments and enter no-shows. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting findings, treatment plans, in patient records. The assistant stores dental supplies needed for all procedures done in the Dental Clinic. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPPA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety 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. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Dental Laboratory Pours impressions and prepare study models. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Direct Patient Care Remove sutures Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Application of topical anesthetics, desensitizing agents and fluoride. Recement and fabricate temporary crowns. Places temporary fillings. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. 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

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 on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification: 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). 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. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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 apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees MUST meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Preferred Experience: 1 years of experience as a Dental Assistant English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience or Education: None beyond the Basic Requirements. GS-4 Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, GS-3 -OR- 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling; Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies; Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval; Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment; Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. GS-5 Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level, GS-4, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. -OR- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. GS-6 Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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. Assignment: 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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G-36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A legible 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 Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Krystal Jancze
• Phone: (412) 822-2222
• Email: [email protected]