Dental Assistant

Summary The Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY is recruiting for a Dental Assistant to provide support to the Surgical Services Dental Clinic. The incumbent performs duties necessary to assist the dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. This includes a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures and provides chairside assistance in the clinic setting with an emphasis on fourhanded dentistry. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until May 29, 2026 or until positions are filled. Duties include but are not limited to : Chairside Assisting Measures, records and monitors patient vital signs as requested by provider. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy Performs reversible intra-oral procedures associated with various phases of restorative, prosthodontic, periodontal, endodontic and surgery procedures Sets up operatory 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 medications and impression materials per manufacturers' instructions. Dental Imaging Records dental images using x-ray equipment. Captures both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., Cone beam) in traditional or digital format. 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. Demonstrated proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition per manufacturer and Dental Service standards. Supports and follows all infectious disease policies. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Debrides and decontaminates instruments, materials and equipment following proper infection control procedures. Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments and accurately informing administrative staff of given appointments. Assist in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient electronic medical records. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Direct Patient Care Capture pre-treatment patient vital signs and monitor condition during treatment and recovery applications of topical anesthetics and topical fluorides. Takes impressions for diagnostics casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Cleans removable prosthesis removing stain and soft debris. Provides patient preventative educations and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative instructions and other appropriate patient education. 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 JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Provides procedure specific patient education and refers patient concerns to treating dentist. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study casts. Performs other simple laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow, including fabrication of templates and custom trays. Perform all other duties assigned by the Chief of Dental Services, Supervisory Dental Assistant or Lead Dental Assistant. Work Schedule : Full-Time; Monday - Friday; 8 : 00 AM - 4 : 30 PM Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not Required Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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 # : 21W37-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 / Education : Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR, Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. 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. 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. 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). 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 required for all positions above the full performance level. For this position, it is preferred but not required. Grade Determinations : GS-6 Dental Assistant 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] 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. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Preferred Experience : Certified Dental Assistant, but not mandatory for the position References : VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G36 Physical Requirements : Tasks require long periods of bending, standing, walking, and reaching at odd angles. Must frequently carry heavy instruments, or packages of dental materials and supplies. Education Note : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here : If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit : Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.