Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Redding (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in California seeks a Dental Assistant to support the dentist in direct patient care with some independence in assigned duties. Responsibilities include preparing the operatory, passing instruments, and assisting in both routine and specialized procedures while adhering to infection control standards.

A radiologic credential and CODA-accredited education are required or in progress. The role is full-time and on-site, with no telework option.

Qualifications

• Six months experience demonstrating ability to perform the work.
• Completion of a 1-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program.

Responsibilities

• Prepare operatory and surgery suite for procedures and turnover.
• Pass instruments safely and efficiently.
• Retract tissues and maintain a clear operative field.
• Prepare medicaments and impression materials per instructions.
• Assist in routine and specialized dental procedures.
• Follow infection control protocols and SOPs.

Skills

Chairside experience

Dental instruments knowledge

Vital signs interpretation

Education

CODA-accredited dental assisting program

Job description

Summary

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties and clerical functions - with indirect supervision from the dentist or supervisor. Duties will be performed in the VA NCHCS facilities.

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
• Experience and Education - (1) Experience - Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work OR (2) 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 - (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - Inc
• OR b) 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 - (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or OR (d) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD)
• Physical Requirements - A pre-employment physical is required for the position
• English Language Proficiency - Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• Preferred Experience: 1 Year Chairside experience preferred Grade Determinations: GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities:
• 1
• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• 3
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• 4
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• 5
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• 6
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• 7
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• 8
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• References: 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06
• Physical Requirements: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Prepares the operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover - ensuring all needed equipment - materials - and supplies for planned dental procedure(s) are prepared prior to seating the patient
• 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 intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Assists in routine general dental procedures
• Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - and periodontics
• Complies with patient identification requirements
• Compliant with meeting their role in the Medication Reconciliation Process
• Compliant with meeting their role in the Time-Out process
• Compliant with meeting their role in the IMED consent process
• Compliant with infection control protocols in all aspects of the care process
• Follows standard operating procedures for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the dental clinical area
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00 a.m
• 4:30 p.m
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 11041-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized