In this position, the Dental Assistant will serve as part of the New Mexico VA Health Care System Dental Service (Main Hospital), which is above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time. At this level, Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties

Assignment in this position, the employee performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting of existing conditions, placing of rubber dam and matrices, selecting shades, placing retraction cord, placing and removing temporary restorations, fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supra-gingival surfaces. In addition, the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Monitor patient vital signs (BP, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Apply topical anesthetic at the injection site. Apply topical fluoride. Make impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provide patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provide post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Assist customers, internal and external, with questions or concerns, provide service recovery. Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Keep operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Accomplish all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assist in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry. Assist in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Maintain both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination according to SOP. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress notes. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Enter progress notes in patient charts. Entering Return to Clinic Orders for the provider they are assisting during the patient appointment. Enter new community care and/or imaging consults and/or complete consult data entry by direction of their assigned provider(s). Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. 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 Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Education/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. 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). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the GS-681series 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 required for all positions above the full performance level (GS-07 and above). English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-07 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. At this level, Dental Assistants are required to possess certification. Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level GS-06 or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, and includes 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. In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate MUST demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): a.Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions. b. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc). Reference: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36 Dental Assistant dated April 19, 2011. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to the operatory or procedure site. It is necessary to climb onto lifts to retrieve or store supplies, or to help the dentist carry out a surgical or dental procedure. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair is required to position them for radiographs or dental examination and treatment.

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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Monaliza Seppala
• Phone: 505-265-1711 X2246
• Email: [email protected]