Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Summary : Dental assistants at this level serve staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. The Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to :

• Customer Service
• Chairside Assisting
• Dental Imaging
• Direct Patient Care
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization
• Dental Lab Functions
• Clerical Functions
• Information Management
• Patient Safety
• Employee Education

Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday

Compressed / Flexible : Authorized

Telework : Not Authorized

Virtual : This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement # : 54843-A

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

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 trial period. Subject to background / security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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 and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. (3) 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.

Grade Determinations :

GS-6 Staff 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.

Physical Requirements : Light lifting and carrying, use of both hands, fingers, reaching above shoulders, walking, standing, sitting, depth perception, rapid mental and muscular coordination.

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.

Additional Information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.