Summary Dental Assistants provide routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under the general supervision of more experienced staff members or the treating dentist. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/30/2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 09/30/2024, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. The duties of a Dental Assistant in the Dental Service include, but are not limited to: Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Patient Care Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Assists in routine general dental procedures using four-handed dentistry concepts, basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. Maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably; Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Responds to basic medical emergencies. 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. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Initiates computerized progress note. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Dental Imaging Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records: Evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 629-00651-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment medical evaluation. 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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. Exception. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-06 Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. 3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. 4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. 5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. 6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. 7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. 8. Ability to perform Dental Assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Preferred Experience: Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Certification, Certified Dental Assistant Certification (DANB) References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard, dated April 19, 2011. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.