Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration; Kapolei (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Dental Assistant with strong knowledge of oral anatomy and dental procedures to provide care under indirect supervision. The role includes capturing radiographs, maintaining equipment and assisting across restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care, while ensuring accurate entry in electronic dental records.

The candidate should have a CODA-accredited program or equivalent experience, with at least one year of practical dental assisting and

Qualifications

• Completion of a CODA-accredited dental assistant program or equivalent.
• At least 1 year of dental assisting experience or an education/experience combination that demonstrates capability.
• Qualification includes radiographic certification as required by regulations.

Responsibilities

• Perform a full range of duties with some independence under indirect supervision.
• Assist dentist in restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal procedures.
• Capture standard and special dental images in traditional or digital formats.
• Enter and retrieve data in electronic dental records.
• Maintain dental equipment and assist with laboratory procedures.

Skills

Identify normal oral anatomy

Dental instrument knowledge

Dental procedures knowledge

Vital signs interpretation

Patient education

Dental imaging (traditional/digital)

Dental equipment maintenance

Electronic dental records data entry

Laboratory procedures

Education

CODA-accredited dental assistant program

1 year dental assistant experience

Experience/education combination qualifying

Tools

Radiographic equipment

Dental practice management software (EHR)

Job description

This position is expected to perform a full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the Lead Dental Assistant, Supervisor or treating Dentist.

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. Education and/or Experience: 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). 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. 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). 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).

Grade Determinations:

Experience: At least 1-year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. 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:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.