Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

City of Rochester (NY)

On-site

USD 33,000 - 64,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive

Relocation incentive

Paid time off

Job summary

The VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System in Rochester seeks a Dental Assistant to support the dentist with chairside care, a wide range of intra-oral procedures, and related lab work in a fast-paced clinic.

Responsibilities include preparing operatory, passing instruments, operating dental X-ray equipment, and maintaining infection control standards while assisting with patient education and accurate recordkeeping.

Qualifications

Performs a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures.
Knowledge of dental anatomy and instruments.
Operates dental X-ray equipment.
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA.

Responsibilities

Chairside assisting with intra-oral procedures using four-handed techniques.
Sets up operatory and cleans dental unit between procedures.
Passes instruments safely and efficiently.
Operates dental X-ray equipment for intra- and extra-oral radiographs.
Maintains infection control and sterilization protocols.
Assists with scheduling and managing patient records.

Skills

Chairside assisting

Intraoral procedures

Dental imaging

Infection control

Tools

Dental X-ray equipment

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System is recruiting for a Dental Assistant at the Rochester Calkins VA Clinic. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care, performs a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures, supports the dental laboratory as needed, and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Major Duties include but are not limited to: Chairside assisting: Performs a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures associated with various phases of restorative, prosthetic, periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery, implant placement and restoration procedures and provides chairside assistance, fully anticipating the dentist's needs for all instruments, materials, and services using four-handed techniques.

Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 tissues effectively and comfortably Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Accomplishes all intraoperative procedures within standard infection control protocols Takes preliminary impressions for study models, modifying impression tray as needed. Performs skilled techniques to place temporary crowns and bridges, ensuring they fit each patient's dental anatomy.

Possesses knowledge of dental anatomy, related oral anatomy, the technical methods and practices of dentistry, and the working characteristics of dental instruments and materials sufficient to perform a wide variety of intraoral procedures, including restoration, of teeth prepared by dentists and adapting and seating stainless steel crowns.

Possesses knowledge of and ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions such as tooth decay and inflamed tissue sufficient to perform intraoral procedures which treat these conditions, under general supervision of a staff dentist. Dental Imaging Operates dental Xray equipment for intra and extra oral radiographs. Customer service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments, makes appointments, and handles telephone calls. Records information related to the Medical and Dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.

Patient Safety: Instruct patients in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition as related to dental health, the common causes of tooth decay, and the care of prosthodontic appliances, provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements. Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions, prepares, and trims study models.

Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Direct Patient Care: Obtains patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter, temporal temperature) as needed. Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners, topical fluorides, and other topical agents prescribed by the dentist to specified area of the oral cavity. Supply Functions Responsible for communicating with logistics to manage inventory of items supporting the Dental clinic.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Has knowledge of OSHA policies of Safe Work Practices including the hazard Communication Program, Blood Borne Pathogens Standards, Medical Waste Management, Fire and other Emergency Evacuation procedures.

Other duties as assigned Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment or Relocation incentive may be paid to a Highly Qualified candidate.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:12923F, 12924F, 12925F, 21M34A

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $32662 – $63605/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-05.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.