Dental Assistant

Summary

Dental Assistants at this level serve in dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general supervision. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - 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 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-681 series 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 not required - but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level - and is required for all positions above the full performance level
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 - To qualify at the GS-3 you must meet the following:
  Experience or
  
  Education:
  
  None beyond the basic requirements
• Example of
  
  Experience:
  
  Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues - and require daily close supervision
• GS-4 - To qualify at the GS-4 you must meet the following:
  Experience or
  
  Education:
  
  1 year of experience at the next lower GS-3 grade level
• Example of
  
  Experience:
  
  Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues - and require daily close supervision
• OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities:
  In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
• - Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• - Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies
• - Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• - Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• - Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• GS-5 - To qualify at the GS-5 you must meet the following
• Experience or
  
  Education:
  
  In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to/at the next lower GS-4 grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Example
  
  Experience:
  
  Employees at this level serve as [developmental] staff dental assistants
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more…