Dental Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is currently seeking a Dental Assistant to join our team. The role involves independent work in dental assisting across assigned specialties with supervision as needed, and eligibility for referral if credentials are pending.

Minimum qualifications include US citizenship, six months of relevant experience or completion of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, and radiographic certification/education as outlined by VA standards.

Qualifications

• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work.
• Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by CODA is required or equivalent experience.
• Certification in radiology per 42 CFR Part 75 is required or highly desirable; DANB certification is preferred but not required.
• English language proficiency in spoken and written form is required.

Skills

Dental assisting skills

Education

CODA-accredited dental assistant program

Tools

Radiographic certification (DANB preferred)

Job description

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is currently seeking a Dental Assistant to join our team.

Dental assistants at this level serve in dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general 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

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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 education are qualifying.

OR

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.

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.
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

English Language Proficiency.

Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations

GS-6 Dental Assistant

Experience.

At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.

Preferred Experience:

X-ray certified, chairside dental assisting and BLS certified

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements:

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients.