Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 58,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Oregon seeks a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant to support the dentist at chairside, prepare patients, and help with imaging across procedures. The role includes setting up operatory, maintaining infection control, and assisting in specialized dental procedures.

The position requires EFDA experience (2+ years) and recognition by the Education Department. Federal benefits apply; standard VA pay scales and work hours from 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• EFDA with 2+ years experience preferred.
• Education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for Federal employment.
• Public hiring path eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Chairside assisting and patient preparation.
• Set up operatory and maintain sterile field for procedures.
• Prepare medicaments and impression materials per instructions.
• Perform intra-operative tasks per infection control protocols.
• Assist in procedures including oral surgery, endodontics and prosthodontics.

Skills

Chairside assisting

Infection control

Dental imaging

Oral surgery support

Four-handed dentistry

Education

Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)

Job description

Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. The Dental Assistant receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the Dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room.

Key Responsibilities

This is an open-continuous announcement. Positions will be filled as they become available. The first cut-off date to consider applications for referral to the selecting official will be Nov 18, 2026, the remaining cut-off dates will be at 2-week intervals.

• Functions: Chairside Assisting 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 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 standard Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site Applies topical fluoride Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Suture Removal Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns EFDA only Coronal polishing of teeth Place rubber dams Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Fabricates occlusal guards and bleaching trays Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e.
• TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider 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 Shares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to others Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Preferred Experience - Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA for 2 years) Work Schedule: Clinic hours of Operation - Monday-Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm (PST) Compressed Work Schedule: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. 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) 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 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: This is not a Telework position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $57598 – $74879/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2027-02-04.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.