Dental Assistant

About the role

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Work location is Fort Harrison VHA and Billings CBOC.

Responsibilities

• Experience or Education: 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
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - 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)
• Provision for Non-Certified Applicants: 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)
• Provision for Terminated Appointments: Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• Provision for Temporary Appointment: This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment
• Provision for Certification: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• Provision for Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) 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
• Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Experience or Education: Dental Assistant - GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• Dental Assistant - GS-4: 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 - The candidate must demonstrate the following 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: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to 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 - The candidate must demonstrate the following 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 VHABasic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol Staff Dental Assistant - GS-6 (Full Performance Level): In addition to the requirements listed at GS-5 above - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 procedure

Qualifications

• Customer Service: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover 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 maxillofacial surgery - endodontics - and surgical periodontics Dental Imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Obtains and records patient vital signs: BP - pulse - and pulse oximeter at the beginning of the dental appointment Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Direct Patient Care: Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Recement and fabricate temporary crowns Coronal polishing of teeth Place rubber dams and matrix bands Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Total Rewards

• Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: Customer Service: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover 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 maxillofacial surgery - endodontics - and surgical periodontics Dental Imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Obtains and records patient vital signs: BP - pulse - and pulse oximeter at the beginning of the dental appointment Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Direct Patient Care: Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Recement and fabricate temporary crowns Coronal polishing of teeth Place rubber dams and matrix bands Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Physical Requirements

• Physical movements involve completion of basic pharmacy functions which include but are not limited to: packaging mail - restocking shelves - maintenance of office supplies and interactions with patients and staff Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of tasks.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: Customer Service: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover 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 maxillofacial surgery - endodontics - and surgical periodontics Dental Imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Obtains and records patient vital signs: BP - pulse - and pulse oximeter at the beginning of the dental appointment Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Direct Patient Care: Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Recement and fabricate temporary crowns Coronal polishing of teeth Place rubber dams and matrix bands Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday - 8:00a.m- 4:30p.m Compressed/Flexible: Available for highly qualified applicants

Paid Time Off

37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)