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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Dental Assistant to provide vital support in patient care, including chairside assisting, clerical functions, and adherence to infection control procedures. Candidates should possess relevant certifications, a degree from an accredited program, and skills in customer service. This is a full-time role requiring effective communication in a busy dental environment.
Dental Assistants at this level serve staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. The Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.
Duties
***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 29, 2025, The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 06/13/2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis OR until positions are filled.
Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:
Customer Service - Shows courtesy, respect, and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public - Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.
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 tissue 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- Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics- spends 25% of clinical time assisting the following: complicated periodontics such as periodontal surgery, complicated endodontic treatment, prosthodontic treatment and oral surgery procedures.
Dental Imaging- Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed- Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes and minimized- Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.
Direct Patient care- Remove sutures- Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication- Remove temporary crown or bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris- Recement and fabricate temporary crowns- Coronal polishing of teeth- Place rubber dams. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.
Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization -- Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories - Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards Rocky Mountain Network Human Resources Title 38/Hybrid Title 38 Functional Statement - Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.
Dental Lab Functions- Pours impressions and prepares study models if needed- Performs other laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.
Clerical Functions - Assists patients is scheduling appointments - Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancelations and failed appointments - 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 - Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements - Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.
Employee Education -Complies with Employee Education requirements - Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Authorized
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 54843-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required