Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Summary

The Muskogee and Tulsa VA Medical Center, part of the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS), Dental Service is currently recruiting for a Dental Assistant position in both the Tulsa Dental Clinic as well as the Muskogee Dental Clinic.

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:

Citizenship
Citizen of the United States
English Language Proficiency
Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
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 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
OR 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
Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence 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)
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)
Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment
Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
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
Grandfathering Provision
All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification [(for positions above the full performance level)] that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
See VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36
GRADE REQUIREMENTS Grade Determinations
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
GS-3 Experience or Education
None beyond the basic requirements
GS-4 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)
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a
Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
b
Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies
c
Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
d
Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment
e
Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
GS-5 Experience or Education 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 Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA
In addition to meeting the areas above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: a
Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality
b
Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement
c
Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures
d
Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA
e
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: a
Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
b
Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
c
Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
d
Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
e
Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
f
Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
g
Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
h
Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
Preferred Experience: individuals with the Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
The full performance level of this announcement is a GS-06
You may be selected between the grades of GS-3 through GS-6
Physical Requirements: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases
Assistant uses lead shielding or takes other acceptable measures for protection against radiation and disease and uses personal protective equipment (e.g
surgical gowns, masks, eye wear, gloves, etc.) during clinical procedures and in accordance with service guidelines and policies
Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required for the entire shift.

Duties

'Duties to include but not limited to: Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity.
Gathers diagnostic information.
Performs pulp vitality testing.
Charts existing restoration and conditions.
Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses.
Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands.
Places and removes retraction cord.
Places and removes temporary restoration.
Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris.
Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns.
Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces.
Removes sutures.
Places and removes surgical dressings.
Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic.
Performs coronal polishing of teeth.
Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses.
Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.
Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure.
Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry.
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 placement and restoration.
Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
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.
Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction.
Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
Relays patient concerns to treating dentist.
Possesses comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g., cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.).
Possesses ability to identify anatomy.
Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider; Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed.
Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized.
Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame.
Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories.
Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization.
Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment.
Works closely with SPS 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 The Joint Commission requirements.
Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.
Complies with Employee Education requirements.
Completes mandatory annual training sessions.
Pours impressions and prepares study models.
Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm., (4 day tour of duty).
Telework: Not available Functional Statement #: 52816-A, 52817-A, 52818-A, 52819-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required'