Dental Assistant

North Little Rock, Arkansas, Arkansas, If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-12005228-23-SA. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. They receive and prepare patients for dental treatment and assist the dentist chairside, bedside or in the operating room. They independently perform more complex work in assigned specialties. . 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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U. S. C.

7403(f). 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). (Must attach supporting document to application showing completion) 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. 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 GS-03 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: DENTAL ASSISTANT, GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

DENTAL ASSISTANT, GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, 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). Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate in their resume 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. DENTAL ASSISTANT, GS-5 Experience or Education: in addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.

Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate in their resume the following KSAs: – Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality]. – Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement]. – Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. – Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA]. – Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. DENTAL ASSISTANT, GS-6 Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate in their resume the following 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: N/A References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds), reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, walking (8hrs), standing (8hrs), repeated bending, both legs required, both eyes required, depth perception. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). [“The duties of the Dental Assistant in the Dental Service include but not limited to: Direct Patient Care – Assists in Routine Dental Procedures/Restorative Sets up operatory/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. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Selects, adapts and places matrix bands and wedges to normal and abnormal teeth. Places cavity liners and bases on prepared teeth. Prepares a wide variety of dental materials for permanent and temporary restoration of teeth. Fabricates, places, finishes and removes all types of provisional restorations to include temporary crowns/bridges.

Applies topical anesthetics and desensitizing agents. Accomplishes coronal polishing of teeth. Direct Patient Care – Assists in Specialized Dental Procedures, such as Oral Surgery, Periodontics (including Laser and Implant Surgery), Endodontics, and Prosthetics (including Implant Surgery). Oral Surgery Prepares IMED Consent appropriate to surgery procedure Appropriately labels and dates all medicaments placed on the sterile surgery field. Removes sutures. Properly trained to assist in the operating room setting. Able to stand for long hours at a time during complex surgery procedures. Periodontics Places and removes protective surgical dressings. Removes sutures. Applies desensitizing agents and medicaments.

Properly trained to assist during Laser and Implant surgeries utilizing the proper equipment. Endodontics Supports dentist in endodontic treatments by adapting, applying and removing the rubber dam. Places and removes endodontic instrumentation. Maintains and cleans all endodontic equipment. Prosthetics Aids in tooth shade selection. Places and removes retraction cords prior to impressions. Takes preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts, modifying impression trays as needed. Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays (custom trays) and prepares bite rims.

Fabricates vacuum formed items such as stints, soft mouth guards and fluoride trays. Polishes prostheses after appliance has been adjusted. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Dental Imaging/Radiography Performs the full range of dental radiography by correctly positioning the patient. Protects the patient from unwanted radiation exposure by correctly utilizing a variety of lead shields. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Maintains and cleans all developing equipment. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory.

Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures during and after equipment usage. Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in dentist’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in Dental Record Manager. Provides backup support for clerical duties such as patient check-in and other duties typically assigned to a clerk. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPPA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient’s age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.

Participates in patient identification and time out, per Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Monitors patient (BP, pulse EKG, pule oximeter) and condition during procedures. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. ”]

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