Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a dedicated Dental Assistant to support dental care services. The role involves assisting dentists with patient care, performing clinical tasks, and ensuring high standards of patient safety and comfort. Ideal candidates will have relevant experience or education in dental assisting and possess strong communication skills. Join a team committed to serving veterans and making a difference in their dental health.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study including dental assistant program.

Responsibilities

• Assist the dentist in all aspects of direct patient care.
• Perform clinical and clerical functions.

Skills

Basic knowledge of infection control

Basic knowledge of dental procedures

Basic communication skills

Education

1-year dental assistant program

High school diploma

Job description

Dental assistants assist the dentist in all aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions.
Duties

Duties will vary at grade levels, but at the GS-6:

Chairside Assisting:

Requirements

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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:
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3

Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment: Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues, and require daily close supervision.

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).

*In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

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.

*In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

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:

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.

Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II Appendix G36 Effective Date: April19, 2011

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: This work requires light lifting, under 15 pounds, use of fingers, both hands required, repeated bending and mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include outside and inside, constant noise and working with others.