Dental Assistant

Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Performs assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/05/2023. 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 Experience and Education: six months experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work; OR successful completion of a 1-year dental program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); OR Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying. Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CRF 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. This can include any of the following: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assistant 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. Preferred Certifications: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. 8. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Assignment.

Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standards, dated April 19, 2011. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: moderate lifting and carrying; straight pulling and pushing; use of fingers, both hands required; walking and standing; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near and far vision (correctable), both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability . ENVIORONMENTAL FACTORS: Excessive noise (intermittent); dust, fumes, smoke or gases; radiant energy; working around machinery with moving parts; working closely with others. [“The duties of the Dental Assistant position include, but are not limited to: Seating patients for care; Identifying patients according to hospital protocol; Assisting in routine dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry; Passing instruments safely, accurately and efficiently; Keeping operative field clear of debris and retracting oral tissues effectively and comfortably; Preparing dental medicaments and impression materials; Assisting in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, implant placement and restoration; Maintaining dental operatory in a clean and orderly fashion; exposing both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital formats; Demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories; disinfecting oral appliances to prevent cross contamination; Properly preparing instrument for transfer to SPD for sterilization; following SOP for Reusable Medical Equipment; Utilizing computerized scheduling package; electronic records, Share Point, Outlook; initiating computerized progress notes; Assisting the dentist in charting findings and treatment plan in patient’s record; modifying care as necessitated by patient’s age and abilities; Monitoring patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress; Pouring impressions and preparing impression trays and preparing bit rims; fabricating athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; Monitoring patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery following the procedure; Ppplying topical anesthetic and fluoride; Providing post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a bargaining unit position. ”]

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