The Dental Assistant supports the Dentists in all aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties

The selectee will be responsible for performing the duties of a dental assistant in a hospital-based dental clinic. Assists in management of patient treatment. As directed by the dentist, the assistant will take digital radiographs and enter examination and treatment plan information into the dental record. He/she enters appropriate codes used in the progress note documentation. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns. Properly prepare instruments for sterilization and in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics. The selectee will triage patients to determine the urgency of appointments being scheduled. Monitor patient's condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. He/she assures proper disposition of patient is related to the clerk for appropriate scheduling. Assures that appropriate disposition is communicated to the patient. Show courtesy, respect and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Duties include but not limited to: 1. Assists in management of patient treatment. 2. Performs any other procedure in line with established dental assisting techniques, including acting as a receptionist when needed. 3. Has knowledge of the computerized dental record and privacy requirements related to the maintenance and restriction of release of information from the patients record. 4. Assists dentists, consultants, residents and students chair-side in all phases of general dentistry including specialized areas of prosthodontics (fixed and removable), endodontic, oral surgery, periodontics, and implant procedures utilizing techniques of four handed dentistry where indicated and appropriate. 5. Instructs patients in preventive dental care; measures general nutrition as related to dental health, the common cause of tooth decay arid periodontal disease, and the care of prosthodontics appliances. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:00am to 4:30pm; overtime, weekend, holiday may be required Functional Statement: 51577F Telework: Not authorized Recruitment/Relocation: Not authorized Financial Disclosure: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States 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. English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment (identified above), the following criteria must be met. GS-6 Experience. 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36 Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Sitting at computers for long periods. Utilization of the telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients, staff members, and others is required. Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit. Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment. Deliver clean instruments to the clinic at least twice a day from SPS dental service. This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and elevators. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams, x-rays, and treatment is required. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-6.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Tamera Pryor
• Phone: 205-454-2575
• Email: [email protected]