Career Center

The Dental Assistant is located in Dental Service in the GR. Junction VA Western Colorado Health Care System. 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 required daily close supervision. 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. 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 I-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: 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). OR, 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-04: 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) AND GS-04 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, candidates must fully meet the KSAOs at the GS-4 grade level. 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-05 Experience or Education: (1) 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 (2) 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 GS-05 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, candidates must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-4 grade level. 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 Demonstrated 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 procedures References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46, part II, APPENDIX G36. DENTAL ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-681 Veterans Health Administration The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is range of GS-06. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, light carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, use of both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, use of both legs ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 30, 2022. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 10, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. 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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placements and restoration Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. 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 Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress note. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations 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 Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site. Applies topical fluoride. Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 16:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Authorized\nTelework: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 54927-A Dental Assistant\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]