AddressSummary VA Hudson Valley HCS dental service is comprised of two sites at our main campuses in Castle Point and Montrose New York. Incumbent serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence under indirect supervision from treating dentist. Provide direct "chairside" clinical assistance, performs auxiliary clinical tasks, and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Chairside Assisting Set up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental operatory for timely turnover. Anticipates dentist needs passing 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 dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards. Dental Imaging Captures both standard and specialty dental imaging (ie. Cone beam) in digital format. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by provider. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished with the desired time frame. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects all dental equipment per manufacturer instructions. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures and Policy on Reusable Medical Equipment. Communicates with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Follows policy adorning all proper procedural Personal Protective Equipment. Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress note and electronic patient consent forms. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient electronic medical records. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays. Fabricates athletic mouthguards and bleaching trays. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Direct Patient Care Capture pre-treatment patient vital signs and monitor condition during treatment and recovery. Applications of topical anesthetics and topical fluorides. Takes impressions for diagnostics casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Cleans removable prosthesis removing stain and soft debris. Provides patient preventative educations and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative instructions and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: M/Tu/W/Th/F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21N41-A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Experience/Education: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, 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: (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, (b) 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, (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). 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 required for all positions above the full performance level. For this position, it is preferred but not required. 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-6 Dental Assistant 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, Part II, Appendix G36The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: Tasks require long periods of bending, standing, walking, and reaching at odd angles. Must frequently carry heavy instruments, or packages of dental materials and supplies. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, series and grades for all federal positions held, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. (Failure to provide an SF-50 that demonstrates one-year time-in-grade will result in disqualification from being considered) You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, series and grades for all federal positions held, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. (Failure to provide an SF-50 that demonstrates one-year time-in-grade will result in disqualification from being considered) You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
