Job opening: Dental Assistant
Salary: $42 022 - 54 625 per year
Published at: Oct 06 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This Dental Assistant position perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. and some complex patient procedures performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. This position is located at Wausau VA Clinic in Wausau, WI.
Duties
The Dental Assistant at the full performance level of the GS-6. Duties include:
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
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
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
Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
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
Assists patients in scheduling appointments
Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIP AA with written and verbal information
Follows computer security regulations
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 JCAHO requirements
Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
Pours impressions and prepares study models
Performs dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
Suture Removal
Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns
Coronal polishing of teeth
Place rubber dams and matrix bands
Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.
Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Dntal Assistant/000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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).
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.
Grade Determinations:
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.In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
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.
5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
8. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures]
Preferred Experience: Certified Dental Assisting Experience
References: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36 - Title 38 Hybrid Dental Assistant Qualifications Standards
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
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 Tomah VA Medical Center
500 East Veterans Street
Tomah, WI 54660
US
- Name: Madeline James
- Phone: 504-812-1498
- Email: [email protected]
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