Dental Assistant

Buffalo, New York, New York, Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care in the outpatient dental clinic in Buffalo, the operating room in Buffalo, and occasionally the outpatient dental clinic in Batavia. 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: Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States. 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 of Dental Accreditation [(CODA)]. Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 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. 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: Experience. At least 1 year of experience the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. All of the above KSA’s must be demonstrated in your resume to qualify for this position. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. This position is recruiting for the GS-06. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36 Physical Requirements: Work demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

Work Environment: Describe Physical Demands of the Position. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Management of the Environment of Care: The incumbent will comply with all hospital and service policies in order to assure a safe, functional, and effective environment for patients, staff and others in the organization. Safety: Employee will support the safety, occupational health and fire protection program by the application of approved standards, regulations, practices and work methods. [“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. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Major Duties: Customer Service – Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public- Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting – 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- Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols- Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry- Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration- Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Dental Imaging – Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i. e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats- Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider- 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. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization – Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories- Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination- Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization- Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment- Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed- Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions – Assists in filling gaps in the doctor’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments- Initiates computerized progress note- Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records- Assists in clerical scheduling functions. Information Management – Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA 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. Employee Education – Complies with Employee Education requirements- Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Dental Laboratory Functions- Pours impressions and prepares study models- Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims- Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays- Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient Care – Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure- Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site- Applies topical fluoride- Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication- Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses- Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction- Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 800am – 4:30pm M, Tues, Wed, Fri, 11:30am – 8pm Thurs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21261-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized”]

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