Dental Assistant

Summary

The Dental Assistant includes the performance of specific duties in order to facilitate the work of the dentist and other dental assistants. Recordkeeping, chairside assistance, radiographic and clinic maintenance comprise a significant segment of dental services. Primarily dental radiography, intra-oral procedures, chairside assistance and other clinical support duties, as well as facilitating the work of dentists.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Dental Assistants at the GS-6 level fulfill all the functions of a lower wage/grade level Dental Assistant, but also have experience working as an assistant to a dental specialist or in a hospital environment. The Dental Assistant is responsible for performing the duties that a dental assistant would be required to perform in a hospital-based dental clinic. The VA St. Louis Health Care System offers a full complement of health care services to eligible veterans. Major Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Preparing for treatment Gathering patients records prior to procedure Laying out necessary instruments, medications and materials in proper arrangement Seating and draping patient Explaining treatment procedures to the patient Mixing materials for impressions and restorations Assembling syringes for anesthesia Obtain and record the patient's vitals (blood pressure, temperature, etc) May participate in stand-up dentistry or four-handed sit-down dentistry Anticipate the dentist's need at each stage of the treatment procedure Pass instruments, medications, materials while using proper techniques and dexterity Retracting tissue, keeping operation area clear, clipping sutures in oral surgery Observe patient throughout treatment for signs of shock, distress, fainting effective communication and influence with patients during treatment episodes Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:00 am - 3:30 pm CST Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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: 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: 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 on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. 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: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting 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 (DoD). Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment. 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. 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: Dental Assistant GS-03: Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dental Assistant GS-04: Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR Education. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)s: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. Staff Dental Assistant GS-05: Experience. In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR Education. 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 the above, the applicant must demonstrate the following knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA')s: Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. Staff Dental Assistant GS-06: 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 to the above, the applicant must demonstrate the following knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA')s: 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 main