Dental Assistant

Overview

This position is located at the Aleda Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, Michigan. 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.

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.

• 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)
• Certification:
  Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75; must be certified as radiographers in their field or meet equivalent standards
• Education/
  
  Experience:
  
  Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or completion of a 1-year Dental Assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) - or an equivalent combination of experience and education
• Radiologic Competence:
  Completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination (DANB) or approved equivalents
• Temporary appointment option for non-certified applicants under 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) with requirement to obtain certification during the appointment
• Grade Determinations: GS-06 requires at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) and demonstrated KSAs as described
• Preferred:
  Transcript of completion of dental radiology course/certificate (preferred RDA/CDA)

• Maintain courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public
• Provide assistance to patients with questions or concerns and service recovery
• Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and clean dental unit for turnover
• Pass instruments safely and efficiently; maintain sterile field; prepare medicaments and impression materials; assist in intra-operative procedures within standard infection control
• Assist in routine general dental procedures and specialized dental procedures (oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration)
• Maintain routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions
• Expose standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional or digital formats; adjust settings as requested
• Demonstrate infection control procedures in setup, cleanup, and imaging; ensure proper sterilization of instruments
• Assist patients in scheduling appointments and manage gaps due to cancellations
• Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans; maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA; follow computer security regulations
• Enter Veteran treatment plans and consults when necessary; adapt care to patient age and abilities; provide clear instructions to patients
• Participate in patient identification and time-out per Joint Commission requirements; monitor patient condition during treatment
• Complete mandatory safety training and annual safety requirements
• Perform dental laboratory tasks as time and skill allow
• Work schedule:
  
  Full time, Monday – Friday, 07:30am – 6:00pm (subject to change)
• Other benefits:
  See pay, leave, and federal benefits listed in the original description

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds frequently; may require moving equipment and assisting in moving clients.