Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Poplar Bluff (MO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Poplar Bluff, MO, seeks a Dental Assistant at the GS-7 level to perform expanded-function duties under supervision, including radiographic procedures and chairside assistance in general and specialty clinics.

The role emphasizes advanced imaging, patient care, infection control, and clerical tasks with opportunities for professional certification support and flexible scheduling in a federal environment.

Job description

Summary

Dental assistants at this level serve as expanded-function dental assistants independently performing advanced clinical duties in assigned specialties at least 25% of the time. Higher-level assignments cover greater scope - complexity and variety and require advanced clinical skills. The dental assistant assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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

• Citizenship
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Policy.) Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• f
• English Language Proficiency
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• 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)
• OR - Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and 2 education are qualifying
• (1) 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)
• (2) 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
• (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• (4) 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
• (5) 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
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant
• At this level - dental assistants serve as a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant
• For all positions above the full performance level - duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time
• Experience Required
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent 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 perform dental assisting expanded functions
• Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc)
• Assignment
• In this position - the employee performs a higher level - scope - complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment - and applies advanced clinical skills
• Representative duties at this level include - but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information - pulp vitality testing - charting of existing conditions - placing of rubber dam and matrices - selecting shades - placing retraction cord - placing and removing temporary restorations - fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
• In addition - the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing - monitor nitrous oxide analgesia - and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses
• Preferred Experience: 2 to 3 years experience as a Dental Assistant
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit VA Handbook 5005/46 - Part II - Appendix G36 - Dental Assistant Qualification Standard
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: There is light lifting under 15 pounds
• light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Must have use of both hands and fingers
• Requires walking with both legs required
• Must have ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Requires both eyes with depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish basic shades of colors
• Must have good hearing
• Environmental factors include radiant energy - working around machinery with moving parts
• Includes more mental than physical fatigue factors and must have the ability to work closely with others.

Duties

• Duties include - but not limited to: Expanded Function Duties: (Must comprise at least 25% of the incumbent's workload.) Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity
• Gathers diagnostic information
• Customer Service: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public
• Assists customers with questions or concerns and provides service recovery
• Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care
• Dental Imaging: Possesses comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc.)
• Possesses ability to identify anatomy
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• 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
• Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual training sessions
• Maintains DANB certification as required for above full-performance-level dental assisting positions
• Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday: 7:30am - 5:00pm & Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm (every other Friday) Compressed/Flexible: Not available 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: Ad-hoc- as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized