Dental Assistant

Description:

The Hampton VA Medical Center is looking for a Dental Assistant to join the team! Dental Assistants receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site. Full-performance dental assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Requirements:

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. 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). English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Grade Determinations:

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, 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 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 and maxillofacial 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.

Preferred Experience: Preferred experience in the dental care and treatment of medically compromised veteran patients.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 APRIL 19, 2011 PART II APPENDIX G36 II-G36-6

The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing Dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to and from operatory or procedure site. Pushing and/or lifting of patients from gurneys and/or wheelchairs from the waiting area and transferring them into the dental chair is required to position for radiographs and/or dental examination and treatment. Reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, and both hands are required. Full dexterity of both hands, arms and wrist. Must be able to treat patients while sitting and/or standing for long periods of time. Must have the ability to distinguish basic colors. This job requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to evaluate and make good decisions.