The incumbent will be responsible for performing the duties of a dental assistant in a medical center-based dental clinic. The medical center is a long term care and mental health referral center for VISN 7 Region and offers primary care, long term care and psychiatric services to eligible veterans. Included are long term care and acute psychiatric beds, a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Program (PTSD), a Geriatric and Extended Care Program, and a specialized alcohol and drug treatment program.

Duties

FUNCTIONS: Receive and appoint patients, as directed by dentist, exposure intra- and extra-oral radiographs, record medical history, exam and treatment plan information relayed by the dentist. Maintain a variety of reports relating to dental activities and daily enter upcoming appointments in the VISTA computer system. Maintains dental equipment and materials in a clean and operative condition and properly stores and maintains adequate levels of supplies in the treatment rooms. If at any time the incumbent notices any supplies running low, or nearing expiration, he/she should immediately notify the responsible person so that supplies can be reordered. Properly lays out all instruments and materials needed for each treatment procedure and prepares the patient and operatory for said procedures, strictly adhering to all pertinent infection controls policies and procedures. Assists dentists, consultants, and dental residents of our affiliated training programs at chairside in all phases of general dentistry including specialized areas of prosthodontics (fixed and removable), endodontics, periodontics and oral surgery procedures utilizing techniques of four handed sit down dentistry where indicated and appropriate. When oral surgical procedures are being performed, the incumbent assists the general dentist, dental specialist, dental resident or consultant specialist while the patients are under local anesthesia in operations which include: simple and complex extractions including full and partial bony impactions; reductions of tori, periodontal surgeries and excisional biopsies. Also assist dental specialists in prosthodontics in the fitting and placing of prosthodontic devices for routine cases and for specialty level cases involving extensive injury to the oral cavity, congenital abnormalities of the jaw and deformities of the jaw as a result of therapeutic surgical treatment. Anticipating the operator's need at each stage of the procedures, performs the following; Passes instruments and materials to and retrieves them from the dentists; illuminates field of operation; retracts and stabilizes tissues; keeps field of operation free of debris using irrigating solutions, suctions tips and evacuator; cuts sutures; observes patient for signs of adverse reaction to treatment. Following surgery, debrides the surgical site, prepares surgical dressings, and removes contaminated instruments and materials and decontaminates, prepares and packages instruments for proper sterilization by SPS following current infection control procedures. Packages tissue specimen and routes to pathology laboratory. Also helps apply rubber dam and place cotton rolls to isolate operative site during restorative treatment. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, mixes various types of dental materials for stone models from impressions and performs other minor types of dental laboratory procedures to assist dentists prosthodontically. Provides patient education in areas of preventive dental care, measures general nutrition as related to dental health, the common cause of tooth decay and periodontal disease, and the care of prosthodontic appliances. Also relays post-surgical instructions from dentists for all types of post-surgical and post treatment care. Performs any other procedures in line with established dental assisting techniques, and all other technical and clerical duties as assigned. Safeguards privacy data/sensitive policy making data against unauthorized disclosure. Safeguards user access codes from unauthorized disclosure and use. Notifies Information Security Officer or designated alternate upon disclosure or suspected disclosure of sensitive data by others. Maintains knowledge of Dental Service Infection Control Policy, Maintains current BLS-C Certification of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); maintains proficiency in medical center code blue procedures. In the provision of care to patients from the young adult to the old age categories, the employee recognizes the age-related needs of the patient and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. The employee considers the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrates competence and correctly provides age-relate care. Preferred Experience: Minimum one year experience as a dental assistant. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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/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). If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR; Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application. 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). NOTE: 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Regulations. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience/Education: At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level (Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol). Assignments: 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 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. 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] References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. Available in the Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Light Carrying (15-44 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Both legs required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and emotional stability required. This position requires some exposure to blood borne pathogens, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. 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).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 to 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 Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center 3701 Loop Road East Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 US
• Name: James Brinson
• Email: [email protected]