Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistant at the full performance level and perform a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Employees perform assigned selected procedures with some independence and some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor.

Duties

Chairside Assisting: Provides chairside assistance fully anticipating dentist needs for all instruments, materials and services 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 Takes preliminary impressions for study models, modifying impression tray as needed Dental Imaging Operates dental X-ray equipment taking intra- and extra-oral radiographs 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 Records dental images using x-ray equipment Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition. Debrides and decontaminates instruments, materials and equipment. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Supports and follows all infectious disease policies Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments, makes appointments, and handles telephone inquiries Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's and hygienist's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Assists the dentist and hygienist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Maintains MSDS logs and supply levels and orders supplies when the inventory is low Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA 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 TJC and facility requirements Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition as related to dental health, the common causes of tooth decay, and the care of prosthodontic appliances Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education 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 Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Pours and trim models. Constructs custom impression trays Direct Patient Care Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified area of the oral cavity Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings, and removing sutures Recement temporary crowns and bridges Supports dentist in endodontic treatment by applying rubber dam Advanced Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Knowledge of OSHA policies of Safe Work Practices including the hazard Communication Program, Blood borne Pathogens Standards, Medical Waste management, Fire and other Emergency Evacuation procedures Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies of the healthcare field Ability to demonstrate the procedure for cleaning up a spill of potentially infectious material Ability to analyze essential information on SDS and create an appropriate label for a secondary container Ability to recognize an exposure incident in compliance with OSHA regulations Demonstrates the preparation of soiled instruments for recirculation, including ultra sonic, cold sterilization, wrapping, autoclaving and preset tray preparation Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Telework: Not Available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Grade Determinations: GS-06 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: 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 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 and maxillofacial 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 HANDBOOK 5005/46 APRIL 19, 2011 PART II APPENDIX G36 II-G36-6 The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-06. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing Dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to and from operatory or procedure site. Pushing and/or lifting of patients from gurneys and/or wheelchairs from the waiting area and transferring them into the dental chair is required to position for radiographs and/or dental examination and treatment. Reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, and both hands are required. Full dexterity of both hands, arms and wrist. Must be able to treat patients while sitting and/or standing for long periods of time. Must have the ability to distinguish basic colors. This job requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to evaluate and make good decisions. Must be able to multitask and have the ability to work independently.

Education

There is no education substitution at the GS-06.

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 Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Antonio Deans
• Phone: 951-234-6167
• Email: [email protected]