Dental Assistant

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 1st, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/30/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$44,117 - $57,354 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Montgomery, AL 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0681 Dental Assistant

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

• Announcement number

CBTB-12392151-24-VES

• Control number

789178800

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to non-federal current United States citizens. Federal employees should apply to announcement number CBTB-12392150-24-VES.

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Duties

• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures 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.

• Assists in routine general dental procedures as well as specialized dental procedures such as oral & maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics.

• Conducts dental imaging.

• Prepares instruments for sterilization by SPD standards and does not delay clinical care.

• Follows infection control procedures.

• Assists patients in scheduling appointments.

• Charts findings and treatment plans in patient records.

• Pours impressions and prepares study models.

• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.

• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bit rims.

• Removes sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing.

• Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris.

• Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns.

• Place rubber dams and matrix bands.

• Complete impressions of diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.

• Coronal polishing of teeth.

• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 619-124-FS

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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 examination.

• 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:

• Experience

• Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work.

• OR; Education

• Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application.

• OR; Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. If you select this option, you must provide a copy of your transcripts with your application.

• 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:

• Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;

• OR, 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 Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). 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). NOTE: 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.

• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Regulations.

• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

• 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.

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: GS6

Experience/Education: At least 1 year of experience the next lower grade level (GS-5) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. At the GS-5 grade level, employees serve as staff dental assistants for routine dental procedures. Direct supervision is given for any complex patient procedures from more experienced dental assistants or the treating dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies; measures and records vital signs; provides pre- and post-operative instructions; maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; using the concepts of four-handed dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures; mixes basic dental materials; assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records; evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. GS-5 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.

• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.

• Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.

• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA.

• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.

In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following GS-6 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• 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.

Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Sitting at computers for long periods. Utilization of the telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients, staff members, and others is required. Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit. Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment. Deliver clean instruments to the clinic at least twice a day from SPS dental service. This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and elevators. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams, x-rays, and treatment is required.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.