Dental Assistant (NHS)

Dental Assistant

This position is an instrumental part of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) Dental Service and is expected to perform at the full performance level Dental Assistant, GS-0681-06. This position provides overall support to the service in an effort to provide optimum care to our Veterans. This position is located : North West San Antonio VA Clinic.

Major Duties :

• 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.
• Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.
• 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.
• Displays a working knowledge of dental materials.
• Dental Imaging : Demonstrates proper infection control procedures when exposing images. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.
• 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. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.
• Obtains accurate information necessary for the radiology request and closes pending imaging consults in a timely manner.
• 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, i.e., Reusable Medical Equipment. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed.
• Administrative Functions : Identifies scheduling gaps in the dentist's clinics and assists MAS with filling gaps. Initiates computerized progress note.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
• 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.