Dental assistants at the Senior Clinical Expanded Function level perform a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment and apply advanced clinical skills. Advanced clinical duties demonstrate a high level of independence and technical skill providing direct care to the patient. These higher-level duties must be performed at least 25% of the time, and incumbents also must maintain current National Board (DANB) certification.

Duties

John J. Pershing is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Major duties include but are not limited to: Monitors, manages and responds to post-surgical bleeding; Takes final impressions for a variety of basic and specialty procedures; Performs supragingival scaling; Applies pit and fissure sealants; Places liners and bases; Places and finishes permanent restorative materials (e.g. amalgam, composite, glass ionomer) including carving and curing; Makes final impressions; Adjusts dentures; Applies pit and fissure sealants; Places liners and bases; Records final impressions; Adjusts removable prostheses; Performs tasks defined by state credentialing boards; Responsible for imaging quality control program (troubleshoots and makes appropriate referrals for identified imaging issues); Assists in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis; Performs other duties as requested. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Bargaining Unit Position: Yes Functional Statement #: 000000 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, stooping, stretching and lifting moderately heavy items. 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. Must hold a current Certified Dental Assistant Certification by the Dental Assistant National Board. 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). Grade Determination: GS-8 (Senior Clinical Expanded Function) Experience Required: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of this specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: supragingival scaling; placing pit and fissure sealants; placing and finishing permanent restorative materials such as amalgam, glass ionomer or composite resin; making final impressions and adjusting dentures, applying pit and fissure sealants, placing liners and bases, carving amalgams, placing, curing and finishes composite resin restorations. Responsible for the imaging quality control program, troubleshooting and appropriate referral of identified imaging issues. Participates in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis. Specialty functions may include managing post-surgical bleeding, tying-in arch wires and selecting and placing orthodontic brackets Dental Assistant must be able to place dental restorations. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: a. Competency in expanded functions to include placement and finishing of permanent restorative materials such as amalgam and/or composite; or recording of final impressions. b. Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of all aspects of dental imaging. Assignment. Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: supragingival scaling; placing pit and fissure sealants; placing and finishing permanent restorative materials such as amalgam, glass ionomer or composite resin; making final impressions and adjusting dentures, applying pit and fissure sealants, placing liners and bases, carving amalgams, placing, curing and finishes composite resin restorations. Responsible for the imaging quality control program, troubleshooting and appropriate referral of identified imaging issues. Participates in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis. Specialty functions may include managing post-surgical bleeding, tying-in arch wires and selecting and placing orthodontic brackets. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: There is light lifting under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds. Must have use of both hands and fingers. Requires walking with both legs required. Must have ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Requires both eyes with depth perception. Ability to distinguish basic colors. Ability to distinguish basic shades of colors. Must have good hearing. Environmental factors include radiant energy, working around machinery with moving parts. Includes more mental than physical fatigue factors and must have the ability to work closely with others.

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 John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
• Name: Tiffany Coats
• Phone: 615-873-8622
• Email: [email protected]