The employee performs a higher level, scope complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills This position plans and completes tasks based on established protocol/dental practices independently with the indirect supervision from the treatment dentist. The dental assistant informs the supervisor of problems or unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate action.

Duties

Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery operatory for planned dental procedures, with no supplies missing. Gathers diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing and charting of existing conditions. Monitors and performs basic interpretation of vital signs. Provides procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Performs maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. Enters and retrieves data utilizing electronic dental records. Performs dental assisting expanded functions- selecting shades for crown/bridge and/or dentures/partial dentures and constructing temporary crowns. Performs imaging techniques- cone beam, cephalometric and advanced panoramic imaging, and TMJ. Performs dental laboratory duties; range of performance must include fabrication of all types of temporary appliances including but not limited to; hard/soft occlusal guards, lab fabricated temporary crowns, dental base plates & wax rims, shipping/receiving of referred lab cases. Provides routine dental polish of dentition and removable prostheses. Performs duties following the guidelines by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards for clinical and laboratory operations. Dental Imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented, and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing image Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments. 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. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Monitors patient (BP, pulse, and 02 levels) Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models and night guards. Makes final denture impression trays (custom trays) and prepares bite rims. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Work Schedule: 0730-1630 Monday to Friday Compressed/Flexible: Compressed tour 0700-1630, Friday 0700-1530 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60151-0 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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 2 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).] 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. This positions above the full performance level. 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: GS-7 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. 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, 7 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 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). 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 supragingival 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. Preferred Experience: DANB Certification. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-07 Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability, ability to read ordinary type without strain.

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 Sheridan VA Health Care System 1898 Fort Road Sheridan, WY 82801 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]