Dental Assistant

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider seeks a Dental Assistant to join their team in Asheville, NC. This role involves assisting Dentists with patient care, handling dental procedures, and performing various clerical tasks. Candidates should possess relevant certifications and have a foundational understanding of dental practice and patient safety.

Qualifications

• Six months experience in a dental assisting role or equivalent education.
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Experience with electronic dental records and dental equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Dentist in various dental procedures.
• Perform clerical functions such as scheduling and record keeping.
• Provide patient education and ensure infection control measures.

Skills

Customer service

Infection control

Dental imaging

Education

Completion of a 1-year dental assistant program

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs - at the Charles George VA Medical Center - in Asheville - NC under the Dental Service. The Dental Assistant assists the Dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions.

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 in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Experience and Education:
• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work
• OR - Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation [(CODA)]
• Experience/Education Combination: 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, including 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 certification as radiographers in their field.
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence include successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), or equivalent courses and examinations.
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Certification by DANB is highly desirable for appointment and required for positions above the full performance level.

Grade Determinations:

GS-06 Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level):

• Experience: At least 1 year of experience demonstrating the core competencies at the next lower grade level.
• Technical KSAs include ability to identify normal oral anatomy, knowledge of dental instruments and procedures, monitor and interpret vital signs, provide patient education, capture dental images, perform maintenance on dental equipment, and utilize electronic dental records.

Assignment: Serves at the full performance level with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision.

Physical Requirements include long periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, and lifting, along with other physical demands.

Duties include:

• Customer service and patient interaction
• Chair-side assisting in various dental procedures
• Dental imaging and safety techniques
• Infection control and sterilization procedures
• Clerical functions such as scheduling and record keeping
• Information management and patient safety practices
• Employee education and dental laboratory functions
• Direct patient care activities

Work Schedule: Week 1: Tuesday-Friday 7:00AM-5:30PM; Week 2: Monday-Thursday 7:00AM-5:30PM. Compressed/Flexible: Yes.