Allied Health Professional
Major duties include, but are not limited to:
- 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.
- 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.
- Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, 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.
- Pours impressions and prepares study models.
- Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
- Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
- Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction.
- Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.
- Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
- Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.
- Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
- 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.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Functional Statement #: 60739F, 60740F, 60742F, 60743F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized