Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

Johnson City (TN)

On-site

USD 54,000 - 71,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

The James H Quillen VA Medical Center, part of the Veterans Health Administration, seeks a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant. The role delivers high-level dental assisting with indirect supervision, supporting the dentist and specialists in a wide range of procedures from chairside assisting to imaging and lab tasks. Responsibilities cover infection control, patient care, documentation, and clerical duties within standard VA protocols.

Work schedule aligns with a 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Qualifications

Education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Responsibilities

Performs clinical expanded function duties with independence.
Assists general dentist and specialists in direct patient care.
Maintains infection control and sterilization protocols.
Exposes dental imaging (TMJ, ceph, cone beam) and processes images.

Skills

Dental assisting

Indirect supervision

Imaging techniques

Infection control

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The James H Quillen VA Medical Center is seeking a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant. The Incumbent provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence.

Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a more experienced clinical expanded function dental assistant or dentist. Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties. 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.

Expanded function duties: Duties listed in this section (a) comprise at least 25% of the clinical expanded function dental assistant's time.

Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity, Gathers diagnostic information, Performs pulp vitality testing, Charts existing restoration and conditions, Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses, Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands, Places and removes retraction cord, Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration.

Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris, Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns, Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. Removes sutures, Places and removes surgical dressings, Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic, Performs coronal polishing of teeth, Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses.

Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public, Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting: 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, Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e.

TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider, Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed, Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized, Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories, Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination, Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization.

Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointment, Initiates computerized progress note, Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records 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 Joint Commission requirements, Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models, Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims, Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays, Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient Care: Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure, Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site, Applies topical fluoride, Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Compressed/Flexible: May be available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 $54495 – $70845/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-10.

Who is eligible to apply?

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