Staff Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Staff Dental Assistant in a full‑time, on‑site role. The position involves preparing operatory, assisting in a range of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontic procedures, and maintaining infection control standards.

Candidates must meet CODA accreditation requirements and VA policy on eligibility. The role entails multi-faceted patient care, instrument handling, charting findings, and adherence to privacy regulations.

Qualifications

• Six months experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or familiarity with the work.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing as required by policy.
• Active certification requirements per radiologic standards are described in the job notice.
• DANB certification not required but desirable; required for higher levels.

Responsibilities

• Set up operatory or surgery suite; prepare and maintain sterile environment.
• Assist in routine and specialized dental procedures using four-hands dentistry.
• Pass instruments safely; maintain clear operative field and retract tissues.
• Prepare medicaments and impression materials; follow infection control protocols.
• Monitor vital signs during invasive treatment and recovery as needed.
• Prepare study models and dental prosthetic impressions; fabricate trays.

Skills

Six months experience

English language proficiency

Education

1-year dental assistant program (CODA accredited)

Job description

Summary

This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work – or provides familiarity with the work.
• Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental (CODA).
• Certifications: Public Law 97‑35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75; must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and be certified as radiographers.
• Certification of Radiologic Competence: (a) Completed Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board – Inc.; (b) Completed Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations; or (c) Completed a radiation health and safety program approved by a state board or DoD. Non‑certified applicants who otherwise meet eligibility may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant; failure to obtain certification during the period is justification for termination.
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is not required but highly desirable; required for all positions above the full performance level.
• Grade Determinations: Candidates must meet criteria when determining the grade, e.g., Staff Dental Assistant – GS‑06, at least 1 year of experience equivalent to GS‑05 assignment, etc.

Duties

• Staff Dental Assistants at this level serve at the full‑performance level with the ability to perform a full range of duties and selected procedures with some independence.
• Receive guidance from more experienced staff for complex patient issues and require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor.
• Set up operatory or surgery suite, clean dental unit for timely turnover.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures across all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care.
• Assist in routine general dental procedures using four‑handed dentistry concepts.
• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; keep operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions; perform intra‑operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Monitor and interpret patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) during invasive treatment and recovery.
• Apply topical anesthetic at injection site; take impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary prosthetic impressions.
• Prepare study models, fabricate denture impression trays and bite rims; remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
• Provide procedure‑specific patient education and oral hygiene instructions; deliver post‑operative and other appropriate patient education.
• Assist in specialized dental procedures (oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration).
• Fabricate athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; expose dental imaging (TMJ, cephalometric, cone‑beam) in traditional and digital formats.
• Perform proper infection‑control procedures for operatories, oral appliances, and radiographic imaging; disinfect, prepare instruments for sterilization; follow SOP for reusable equipment.
• Work closely with Sterile Processing Services to ensure instrument availability and prevent delays in care.
• Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records; initiate computerized progress notes.
• Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA; follow computer security regulations.
• Adapt care as needed based on patient age and abilities; provide accurate instructions to patients.
• Participate in patient identification and timeout procedures per Joint Commission requirements.
• Monitor patient condition during treatment for signs of physical distress.
• Comply with employee education requirements; complete mandatory annual training sessions.
• Work schedule: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, 2‑3 Saturdays per month.
• Compensation: Competitive salary with potential higher step rate; paid time off (37‑50 days annually); parental leave up to 12 weeks after 12 months employment; childcare subsidy for eligible full‑time employees; retirement traditional federal pension 5‑year vesting, 401(k), federal insurance.
• Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Not authorized.
• Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized.
• Telework: Not authorized.
• Virtual: Not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 59277F.