Dental Assistant

The American Dental Hygienists' Association; Lawton (OK); On-site; USD 38,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System is seeking a Dental Assistant to join their team in Lawton, Oklahoma. In this role, you will provide critical support in dental procedures, record keeping, and patient care. Ideal candidates will have a mix of education and experience in dental assisting, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• Requires successful completion of accredited dental assistant program.
• Knowledge of dental procedures and infection control protocols is essential.
• Certification in radiologic procedures preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists with dental procedures and provides chairside assistance.
• Records patient histories and treatments.
• Operates dental X-ray equipment and processes images.

Skills

Infection control

Patient communication

Radiographic imaging

Dental procedures knowledge

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Education

High school diploma

1-year dental assistant program

Tools

Dental X-ray equipment

Job description

Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System - Dental Service - is currently recruiting one (1) Dental Assistant for the Lawton - Oklahoma facility.

Qualifications

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 in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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
• 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)
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D)
• Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment
• 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
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Dental Assistant - GS-3 Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Dental Assistant - GS-4 Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - 1 year of experience at the next lower level - OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation CODA
• -AND- In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following GS 4 Dental Assistant Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies
• Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• Dental Assistant - GS-5 Experience or Education
• In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level - OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA
• -AND- In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following GS 5 Dental Assistant Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality
• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement
• Basic knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA
• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol
• Staff Dental Assistant - GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience
• At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• -AND- In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following GS 6 Dental Assistant technical Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Light carrying under 15 pounds - Reaching above shoulder - Both hands required - Walking/standing 8-10 hours - Repeated bending - Both legs required - Specific visual requirements (small details) - The ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - Both eyes required - Depth perception - Ability to distinguish colors and Hear.

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities of the position include: Prepares operatories receives - seats - and drapes patients for treatment in the dental clinic
• Obtain and record the vital signs of the patient
• Obtains and records information related to the medical and dental history of the patient
• Records treatment and examination information on patient records
• Assists general dentists - periodontists - endodontists - prosthodontists - and Oral surgeons with different procedures including sedation if needed
• Provides chairside assistance at least 25% of time spent in specialized dentistry as required - anticipating the dentist's need for various instruments - materials - and services
• Prepares consent forms for surgery and anesthesia
• Prepares prescriptions for the signature of the dentist
• Routes patients for medical tests and services when required
• Packages tissue specimens and routes to the pathology laboratory
• Responds to basic medical emergencies
• Maintains a current CPR certification
• The dental assistant maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards
• The dental assistant performs daily preventive maintenance of dental instruments - equipment - and accessories to ensure proper functioning - increase longevity - and proper delivery of dental care
• The dental assistant is to be a team builder
• Demonstrate patience and tact in dealing with patients and co-workers to maintain effective working relations
• The dental assistant will treat patients and co-workers respectfully to maintain a professional working environment
• The dental assistant schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options - and uses established business rules to schedule appointments for Veterans - this includes clinic visits - consultations - and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL) - Complies with the mandatory framing requirements for the outpatient scheduling process
• Request specific supplies when needed
• Maintain a sufficient inventory of supplies and accessories to ensure proper operation of the dental clinic
• Operates dental X-ray equipment to expose intra- and extra-oral radiographs
• Exposes and processes dental radiographs and saves digital imaging to electronic medical records
• evaluates radiographs' diagnostic quality
• The dental assistant will be familiar with and follow hospital infection control policies
• The dental assistant is to be knowledgeable of infection control protocols for dental instruments - equipment - and accessories to ensure a safe work environment - minimize cross-contamination - and provide a high level of infection control
• Relays to patient instructions from the dentist for all types of post-treatment care including specialized instructions for post-surgery patients
• Provides oral hygiene instruction in the common causes of decay - brushing and flossing techniques - and care of orthodontic appliances
• Takes preliminary impressions
• pours and trims models from impressions
• constructs baseplates and bite rims fabricates custom trays - assists in preparation of laboratory prescriptions forms
• applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses
• Evaluate the quality of the diagnostic cast
• Selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes
• Decontaminates non-critical medical supplies and equipment used in any setting where patient care is provided (excluding equipment and supplies that require specialized cleaning procedures per the manufacturer)
• Determines and uses the appropriate methods for removing gross contamination and providing effective cleaning between patient use of non-critical reusable medical equipment and supplies based on the direction provided in the Reusable Medical Equipment Medical Center Memorandum
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53407-A
• 53408-A
• 53409-A
• 53410-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized