Dental Laboratory Technician

About the role

This position is located within the Portland VA Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. The incumbent is responsible for a full range of complex dental prosthetics in support of the dental clinic and the Veteran population.

Responsibilities

• Fabricating appliances which correct abnormal conditions of the mouth including missing teeth, obturators, and splints for the replacement of lost oral tissues and the reduction of jaw fractures.
• Constructing and repairing prosthetic appliances from prescriptions prepared by staff dentists, using an articulator in the fabrication of appliances.
• Fabricating all types of precious and metal crowns, acrylic jackets, veneers, inlays, precision attachments, and fixed bridge restorations of gold alloys, porcelain, and acrylic resin, as well as unusually complex porcelain-to-gold restorations. This includes using hydrocolloid impressions, duplicating refractory models, trimming dies, and placing dowel pins.
• The technician is responsible for the proper articulation and occlusion of cases to include full arch models with multi-unit castings to be articulated in the full range of mandibular excursions.
• Fabricating artificial denture restorations according to dentist's prescription, choosing stock teeth, mounting them on an articulator, setting teeth in wax with regard to proper occlusion, articulator, and esthetic appearance as well as ridge and arch contour and jaw relationship. After approval of the setup of teeth, the technician carves and contours the pattern of the denture resin which is chosen on the basis of color to match the patient's mouth.
• Repairing all types of denture fractures, replacing broken or missing denture teeth and soldering and replacing broken clasps.
• Maintaining equipment at safe and efficient operating levels. Essential routine oiling, cleaning, etc. must be regularly performed.
• Aid in seeing that materials and supplies are adequately stocked.
• Some teaching and training of students from career development programs, special work study students.

Requirements

Special authorities include: Former overseas employees and foreign service employees. Clarification for these authorities is provided in the questionnaire. First AOC (Area of Consideration) is Facility employees; Second AOC is VA Agency; Third AOC are all other eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/22/2026.
• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Fabricating all types of precious metal crowns, ceramic crowns, acrylic jackets, veneers and inlays, precision attachments, and fixed bridge restorations of gold alloys, porcelain and acrylic resin, as well as unusually complex porcelain-to-gold restorations; articulation and occlusion of cases to include full arch models with multi-unit castings to be articulated in the full range of mandibular excursions; Maintains equipment at safe efficient operating levels and essential routine oiling, cleaning, etc.; ensuring ongoing review of laboratory chemicals and expiration dates; and maintaining inventory of laboratory chemicals; Teaches and trains in fabrication of removable and fixed prostheses.