The position is located in the Dental Department at The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. The Expanded Function assistant enhances the dentist's capabilities by restoring teeth that have been prepared. This allows the dentist to treat more patients.

Duties

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. The incumbent also performs the full range of duties for routine patient care at chairside, bedside or in the operating room with indirect supervision from the supervisory dental assistant or treating dentist. Functions Senior Expanded Function Higher-Level duties: (Must comprise at least 25% of the incumbent's workload.) 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. Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Assists customers with questions or concerns. Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care. Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity. Charts existing restoration and conditions. Gathers diagnostic information. Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic. Performs pulp vitality testing. Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry. 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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Dental Imaging Possesses comprehensive and thorough knowledge of advanced imaging techniques. Provides instruction (e.g., cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.). Possesses ability to identify anatomy. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed. Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized. Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual training sessions. Performs other duties as requested (digital dentistry, digital dentures, same day dentures). Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday; 7:00am - 3:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant 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. Education and Experience: 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. Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. OR, (b) 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, (c) 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, and is required for all positions above the full performance level. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-0681-8, Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level (Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions; Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).). Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. Competency in expanded functions to include placement and finishing of permanent restorative materials such as amalgam and/or composite; or recording of final impressions. Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of all aspects of dental imaging. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G36 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Ability to be on feet for long periods of time. Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (some), Standing (some), Repeated bending (some), Rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), Emotional/mental stability.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 US
• Name: Tawana McKinney
• Phone: 937-516-0843
• Email: [email protected]