Dental Assistant

Overview

The position is located in the Dental Section of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS). The position serves as a staff dental assistant for routine care and performs some complex patient procedures under general supervision of a more experienced dental supervisor. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions with minimal supervision.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification (can be completed the first week of onboarding) / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• 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: must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Education and/or
  
  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)
• 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
• They must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation 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)
• 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-6 Dental Assistant
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
  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
• Preferred Experience:
  
  DENTAL RADIOLOGY certificate - NOT REQUIRED can be completed the first week of onboarding
• Two years of experience preferred
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 - PART II - APPENDIX G36
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• The duties and responsibilities of the dental assistant include customer service, chair side assisting, dental imaging, infection control and equipment sterilization, clerical functions, information management, patient safety, employee education, dental laboratory functions and direct patient care
• Duties include, but are not limited to: setting up for planned dental procedures and cleaning dental unit for timely turnover; passing instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; keeping operative field clear of debris and retracting oral issues effectively and comfortably; accomplishing all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols; imaging requests are accomplished within the desired timeframe; assisting patients in scheduling appointments;
  
  monitoring patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress; making final denture impression trays and preparing bite rims; providing post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday to Friday - 7:45 am - 4:15 p.m
• Telework:
  Not Available
• Virtual:
  This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00873F
• Relocation/Recruitment
  
  Incentives:
  
  Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
  Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report:
  Not required