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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Near Birmingham, AL

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:

a. Citizenship.

Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

b. 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.

c. 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.

(1) 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).

(2) 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.

(3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

(4) 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.

(5) Loss of Credential.

An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

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).

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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

d. Grandfathering Provision.

(1)Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees MUST meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

(2)Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

(4) If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves [the] occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.


Grade Determinations:

GS-07: To meet the requirements for the GS-07 grade level Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant you must posses at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs

a. Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions.

b. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).

Preferred Experience: At least 3-5 years experience as a Dental Assistant. At least 3 years Chairside Dentistry.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds
Reaching above shoulder
Both hands required
Both legs required
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Depth perception
Ability to distinguish basic colors
Excessive noise, intermittent
Working closely with others

Responsibilities:

Specialized Dental Procedures, Maintains and sets up Oral Surgery packs for various procedures. Sets up surgical suite for IV sedation to include patient monitoring devices and IV medications Performs venipuncture. Proficient in all phases of assisting Oral Surgery
procedures and patient recovery.

Customer Service. Shows courtesy, respect and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Aids customers with questions or concerns. Provides service recovery

Chair-side Assisting. Sets up operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and effectively and comfortable. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Accomplishes all intraoperative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general dental procedures. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral, endodontics and periodontics

Dental Imaging. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Accomplishes imaging requests within the desired timeframe

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPD standards. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures when exposing images.

Clerical Functions. Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists dental in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Assists in filling gaps in dentist's schedule due to late cancellations and no-shows.

Patient Safety. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Monitors patient's condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.

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 and prepares bite rims. Performs other dental lab functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient Care. Suture removal. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns. Coronal polishing of teeth. Place rubber dams and matrix bands. Provides postoperative and other appropriate patient education

Work Schedule: 0730-1600 M-F
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 521-50968A

Job Summary