Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions at the full-performance level include, but are not limited to:

a. Chairside Assisting:

Sets up operatory 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

Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics

b. Dental Imaging:

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

c. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories

Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards

Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

d. Clerical Functions:

Orders and maintains equipment/supplies/medication required for patient treatment

Assists in training new employees on use of the computer and trains other staff as needed

Assists medical support assistant (MSA) and dental secretary when administrative assistance required

Assists patients and other dental staff in scheduling appointments

Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments

Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

Serves as facility meeting dental representative when primary staff unable to leave patient care area

Serves as Service Inspection tour guide if/when dental staff unable to leave patient care area

Annual custodial duty for Service Equipment Inventory Listing (EIL)

Maintains readily available and unexpired supplies in dental operatories, Dental Service supply room/Omnicell and remote sterile storage room

e. Information Management:

Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information

Follows computer security regulations

f. Patient Safety:

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 JCAHO requirements

Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress

g. Employee Education:

Complies with Employee Education requirements

Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions

h. Dental Laboratory Functions:

Pours impressions and prepares study models

Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims

Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow

i. Direct Patient Care:

Remove sutures

Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris

Recement and fabricate temporary crowns

Coronal polishing of teeth

Place rubber dams and matrix bands

Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Work Schedule: 0700--1630, Monday - Thursday; 0700--1530, Friday; alternate Fridays off

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

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)

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

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

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: Dental Assistant

This is a bargaining unit position.