Dental Assistant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Charleston, SC, United States
Summary
NOTE: A recruitment/relocation incentive is being offered for this position. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist. Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties.
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.
English language proficiency; dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
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).
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, which includes successful completion of 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.
(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.
(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).
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).
Failure to obtain certification during that period is a justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
This may 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.
Grade determinations: GS‑6 staff dental assistant experience requires at least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level (see GS‑5 assignment below).
GS‑5 assignment includes but is not limited to: responding to basic medical emergencies; measuring and recording vital signs; providing pre‑ and post‑operative instructions; maintaining a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using four‑handed dentistry concepts; assisting with basic restorative procedures; mixing basic dental materials; assisting in the preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applying pressure‑indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposing and processing basic dental radiographs; mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluating radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintaining routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.
Technical KSA’s (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.
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 the 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.
Applicants may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees who meet the criteria).
Duties
Total rewards of a allied health professional.
Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence.
Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist.
Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties.
Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification. DANB provides a list of permissible clinical expanded function duties specific for each state.
Assigned duties include but are not limited to: performing mouth‑mirror inspection of the oral cavity; placing and removing intracorneal temporary restoration; removing temporary crown/bridge and cleaning tooth preparation of debris; fabricating, adjusting, and cementing temporary crowns; removing hard accretions from and polishing removable prostheses; setting up the operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleaning the dental unit for timely turnover; keeping operative field clear of debris and retracting oral tissues effectively and comfortably; preparing dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions; properly preparing instruments for transfer to the central sterilization department for sterilization; following all standard operating procedures for reusable medical equipment; working closely with the central sterilization department to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed; maintaining patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; participating in patient identification and time‑out per Joint Commission requirements.
Work schedule: 6:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): a lump sum 15 % recruitment incentive of $6,811.35 (15 % of yearly salary $45,409) is authorized for this position. The incentive is contingent on completing a two‑year service agreement of full‑time employment at the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center. The incentive will be paid within two periods of the start of the service period.
Pay: competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offered per year (13–26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
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 401(k) with up to 5 % in contributions by VA insurance.
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care benefits (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # 56253F, Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized.
Appraised Value Offer (AVO): not authorized.
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.
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NOTE: A recruitment/relocation incentive is being offered for this position. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist. Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties.
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.
English language proficiency; dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
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).
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, which includes successful completion of 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.
(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.
(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).
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).
Failure to obtain certification during that period is a justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
This may 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.
Grade determinations: GS‑6 staff dental assistant experience requires at least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level (see GS‑5 assignment below).
GS‑5 assignment includes but is not limited to: responding to basic medical emergencies; measuring and recording vital signs; providing pre‑ and post‑operative instructions; maintaining a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using four‑handed dentistry concepts; assisting with basic restorative procedures; mixing basic dental materials; assisting in the preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applying pressure‑indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposing and processing basic dental radiographs; mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluating radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintaining routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.
Technical KSA’s (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.
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 the 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.
Applicants may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees who meet the criteria).
Duties
Total rewards of a allied health professional.
Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence.
Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist.
Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties.
Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification. DANB provides a list of permissible clinical expanded function duties specific for each state.
Assigned duties include but are not limited to: performing mouth‑mirror inspection of the oral cavity; placing and removing intracorneal temporary restoration; removing temporary crown/bridge and cleaning tooth preparation of debris; fabricating, adjusting, and cementing temporary crowns; removing hard accretions from and polishing removable prostheses; setting up the operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleaning the dental unit for timely turnover; keeping operative field clear of debris and retracting oral tissues effectively and comfortably; preparing dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions; properly preparing instruments for transfer to the central sterilization department for sterilization; following all standard operating procedures for reusable medical equipment; working closely with the central sterilization department to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed; maintaining patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; participating in patient identification and time‑out per Joint Commission requirements.
Work schedule: 6:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): a lump sum 15 % recruitment incentive of $6,811.35 (15 % of yearly salary $45,409) is authorized for this position. The incentive is contingent on completing a two‑year service agreement of full‑time employment at the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center. The incentive will be paid within two periods of the start of the service period.
Pay: competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offered per year (13–26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
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 401(k) with up to 5 % in contributions by VA insurance.
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care benefits (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # 56253F, Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized.
Appraised Value Offer (AVO): not authorized.
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.
#J-18808-Ljbffr