Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Poplar Bluff (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Dental Assistant at the GS-7 level to independently perform expanded-function duties in assigned specialties for at least 25% of the time. The role supports dentists and specialists in direct patient care and handles related clinical and clerical tasks with minimal supervision.

Applicants may be referred while educational/certification requirements are completed; licensure and credentialing are emphasized.

Qualifications

• Experience performing expanded dental functions and assisting in direct patient care.
• Proficiency with advanced imaging techniques (cone beam, cephalometric, panoramic, TMJ).
• Ability to work with dentists and specialists with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform expanded-function dental assisting duties.
• Assist general dentist and specialists in patient care and charting.
• Prepare and maintain operative dental procedures and equipment.

Skills

Expanded-function duties

Advanced imaging techniques

Pulp vitality testing

Team collaboration

Education

CODA-accredited program

Tools

Dental radiography equipment

Job description

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.

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.

1. Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR,
2. Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR,
3. 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.g. 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.