The Dental Assistant position is within the Dental Service at VA St. Louis Health Care System. The Dental Assistant assists Dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and performs recordkeeping, chairside assistance, radiographic, clinic maintenance, and other clinical and clerical functions. Proficiency with computer skills is required.
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. Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). (3) 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. (1) Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, (b) 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, (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DOD). (2) 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 of38 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. (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. (4) 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 GS-6, and is required for all positions above the full performance level. (5) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. (6) English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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 (Full Performance Level): (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following. GS-6 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: Six months experience that demonstrates the 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) 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 GS-06. Physical Requirements: Dental assistants frequently use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls; repeat the same movements; stand and sit throughout the day; bend or twist their body. It is important for dental assistants to be able to see details of objects that are less than a few feet away; use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects; hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm; speak clearly so listeners can understand; understand the speech of another person; make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls; see differences between colors, shades, and brightness; move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Major Duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Receives and prepares patients for treatment, including seating, positioning chair, and placing napkin. Recognizes and responds to basic dental emergencies. Prepares procedural trays/ armamentaria set-ups by SPS standards. Utilizes Dental imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized. Accomplishes Imaging requests within the desired time frame. Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up after procedures. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in dental images. Demonstrates understanding of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Infection Control in the Dental Setting. Demonstrates understanding of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Provides pre- and post-operative instructions. Takes monitor, and record vital signs Assists patients in scheduling appointments and in arranging for non-VA care. Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancelations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting and findings treatment plans in patient computerized record keeping system. Coordinates and schedules the completion of dental prosthetic procedures on behalf of patients with the dental laboratory. Assists with clinic-related administrative and monitoring functions in the day-to-day operation of the dental clinic. Communicates techniques with a variety of patients. Applies topical anesthetic to the injection site. Maintains field of operation during dental procedures through the use of lighting, retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls, etc. Identifies features of rotary instruments. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 07:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Dental Assistant FS-000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized