Dental Assistant provides assistance to dentists and dental hygienists. The dental assistant is an integral member of the dental treatment team and assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical, dental laboratory and administrative/clerical functions independently of direct supervision at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI.

Duties

Major Duties: Practice of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, jaws, and human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures. Routine restoration of teeth with dental filling materials such as amalgam or composite as well as the provision of preventive services. The diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions requiring surgical interventions including removal of teeth, recontouring of the alveolus, and other routine hard and soft tissue oral surgical procedures performed at a level 3 facility. Collaborates with dentists, dental hygienist's dental laboratory technicians and schedulers in a manner that enhances coordination of patient care. Effectively communicates with the patient's assigned dentist, dental hygienist, dental laboratory technician and schedulers to facilitate and accomplishment needed dental care. Courteous, respectful cooperative in nature, and overall contributes to the effective operation of the service in regards to relationships with supervisors, co-workers, patients, visitors and general public. Prepares dental materials including dental impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Prepares the operatory with all needed equipment, materials and supplies for planned dental procedure(s) prior to seating the patient. Compliant with infection control protocols in all aspects of the care process, patient identification requirements and meeting their role in the IMED consent process, Time-Out process and Medication Reconciliation Process. Instructs patients in preventive dental care practices, care of prosthodontic appliances and other oral healthcare education. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates) 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)]. 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 in basic life support methods is highly desirable. 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. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS AT THE GS-06 GRADE LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION. 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] References: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36 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: Long periods of standing and walking are required as well as considerable bending and stooping. The Dental Assistant must assist patients from wheelchairs. Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

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 Oscar G Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 325 East H Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 US
• Name: Kevin Estrada
• Phone: 319-338-0581 X636728
• Email: [email protected]