Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Staff Dental Assistant is an integral member of the dental treatment team and assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions. The incumbent will serve as a dental assistant at the full performance level for routine 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 procedures are performed under the direct supervision of more experienced dental assistant or Dental Supervisor. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision, other duties include but are not limited to :

• Customer Service : Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public.
• Chairside Assisting : Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Dental Imaging : Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging in a digital format.
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization : Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatory.
• Clerical Functions : Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Information Management : Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
• Patient Safety : Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
• Employee Education : Complies with Employee Education requirements.
• Dental Laboratory Functions : Pours impressions and prepares study models.
• Direct Patient Care : Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 : 30 PM

Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized

Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full-time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : Dental Assistant

Requirements : Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Subject to background / security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider : your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications : 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.

English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

Preferred Experience :

5-7 years Dental Assisting Experience in various specialties : Restorative, Endodontics, Periodontics, Removable and Fixed Prosthodontics, Orthodontics Experience with digital x-rays : FMXRs, Periapical, Panoramic. Familiarity with IV / surgical procedures : Oral Surgery, Periodontal Surgery, Implant Surgery Customer Service oriented. Commitment to VHA organization goals

Grade Determinations :

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-3. Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

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). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs :

1. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.

2. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies.

3. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing / retrieval.

4. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.

5. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.

Assignment. Receiving and preparing patient for treatment including seating, positioning chair, placing napkin, performing disinfection and sterilization procedures; performing basic chair side assisting with direct instruction from treating dentist; reporting medical emergencies to dentist; preparing procedural trays / armamentaria set-ups; exposing and processing basic dental radiographs with direct supervision; mounting and labeling dental radiographs and / or saving digital images to the electronic medical record with direct supervision; complying with standard recommendation for equipment maintenance.

GS-5 Experience or Education (1) 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, (2) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA.

In addition to meeting paragraph (1) or (2) above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's :

1. Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.

2. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.

3. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.

4. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within V