Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lebanon (Lebanon County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant to enhance patient care in a clinical setting. This role requires a blend of technical skill and independence, allowing you to assist dentists with restorative procedures and manage patient care efficiently. The position demands a commitment to maintaining certification and credentials, ensuring the highest standards of care. If you are passionate about dental health and eager to make a difference, this opportunity offers a rewarding career path in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 6 months experience or completion of a 1-year dental assistant program.
• Certification in radiologic procedures is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists with chairside procedures and patient care.
• Perform restorative procedures and manage imaging quality control.

Skills

Dental Assisting

Patient Care

Radiologic Procedures

Restorative Procedures

Imaging Quality Control

Education

1-Year Dental Assistant Program

Job description

The position is located in the Dental Department of the Surgery Care Line in the Lebanon VA Medical Center. The Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant will function in the clinical setting as their certification indicates, enhancing the dentist's capabilities utilizing tooth restoration procedures that have been prepared by the dentist. This allows the dentist to treat more patients.

Duties

The Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) is responsible to the Chief of Dental Service for general duties and to the individual dentist with whom he/she is assisting for specific chairside procedures. Treatment provided is reviewed by the dentist or the Chief, as appropriate. The employee demonstrates a high level of independence and technical skill providing direct patient care. The employee performs a full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the treating dentist. Deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations not covered by instructions are referred to the dentist.

Some of the major functions and duties are as follows:

Requirements

Qualifications

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).

Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Certification requirements include successful completion of a radiologic procedures credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, with specific options for certification. Non-certified applicants may be appointed temporarily as graduate dental assistants under certain conditions, but must obtain certification to continue employment.

Additional desirable certifications include basic life support and DANB certification, though not mandatory.

Employees must maintain required credentials and meet all qualification standards to remain in the occupation. The standard also discusses grandfathering provisions for current employees, reassignments, and promotion criteria.

Grade Determinations

GS-8 Senior Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent demonstrating core competencies and technical KSAs such as competency in expanded functions and dental imaging.

Representative duties include placing and finishing restorative materials, making final impressions, adjusting dentures, managing imaging quality control, and possibly managing post-surgical bleeding and orthodontic procedures.

For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for long periods, light lifting and carrying, reaching, use of fingers, walking, standing, bending, rapid coordination, near vision, depth perception, hearing aid permitted, emotional and mental stability.