Summary

The Dental Assistant position with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is located at the Conroe Clinic. The Dental Assistant responsibilities include responding to basic medical emergencies; recording vital signs; providing pre- and postoperative instructions; maintaining a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction - suction - irrigation - drying - placing and removing cotton rolls; and using the concepts of fourhanded dentistry.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Dental Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Experience and 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). - OR 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
• 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
• Exception
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Your experience must be evident in your resume
• GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience
• At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs in their resume: 1
• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• 3
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• 4
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• 5
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• 6
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• 7
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• 8
• Ability to perform Dental Assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• Preferred Experience: Experience planning dental procedures
• Experience passing instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently (four-handed dentistry)
• Experience with intra-operative procedures within the standard infection control protocols
• Experience independently exposing both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - Ceph - Cone Beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Experience taking clinically acceptable x-rays
• Experience working with Nomad Portable X-ray Devices
• Experience correctly mounting images in CPRS/DRM Plus System within the desired timeframe and can minimize retakes
• Works independently and with multiple providers daily in a fast-paced environment
• Meets the needs of customers and effectively communicate dental terminology with the customer and the dental team
• Effectively interacts in a professional & courteous manner with supervisor and other employees to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of the organization
• Experience in all areas of dentistry including
• General - Periodontics - Prosthodontics - Endodontics and other areas if called to perform
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional **Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12875079-26-SC.** Duties include but are not limited to: Adjusts to change or work pressure in a pleasant manner - handle differences of opinion in a businesslike fashion - follow instructions conscientiously - and function as a team member - helping the group effort where possible
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Passes instrument safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Keeps operative filed clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression material per manufacturer's instructions
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Assists in routine general dental procedures
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e
• TMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider
• Shares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to others
• Places contaminated instruments in bins for sterilization by SPS verifying that the correct instruments are in each kit
• Enters notes into the VistA or CPRS data base and Dental Record Manager Plus
• Schedules patients - completes routing slips - and completes appointment management duties
• Verifies that all digital images are sent and received in VISTA imaging
• 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 JCAFIO requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
• 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
• Places appropriate instruments and materials in the operatory/ for the identified procedure so that there is no break in the treatment to retrieve something that was not available
• Passes instruments according to the technique developed for dentist
• In addition - keeps field clear for operation - free of debris - water and/or blood
• Takes clinically acceptable x-rays and trains new hires on all x-ray equipment as needed
• Follows clinic and facility infection control practices between patients and ensures all other dental assistants are doing so
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 #: 580-02282-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized