This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: GS-06 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. The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) for the GS-05 grade level are: 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. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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: 1 year specialized experience as Certified Dental Assistant. References. VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard, dated April 19, 2011. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The Full Performance Level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements. Tasks require long periods of bending, standing, walking, and reaching at odd angles. Must frequently carry loads of heavy instruments or packages of dental materials and supplies. Work Environment. Duties involve regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiationand communicable diseases. Incumbent wears personal protective equipment, e.g., masks, safety glasses, and gloves when assisting or performing clinical procedures. Film badges must be worn regularly to monitor exposure to radiation. Regular checks are also made to monitor mercury exposure in the clinic area. The Dental Assistant must have a thorough and complete understanding of the infection control program and be able to implement it in a safe and effective manner. ["Utilizing a substantive technical knowledge of standardized dental procedures and methodologies, coupled with skills in dental assisting techniques and procedures, the position is established to provide chairside, operating room, satellite clinic and ward examination/treatment assistance to dentists in the administration of oral examination, charting and treatment procedures; accomplish dental radiography tasks and perform other miscellaneous pre/post-operative assisting tasks in the delivery of oral health care services. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment, e.g., escorts, seats, drapes, etc. Assists dentists at chairside, anticipates the dentist's need at each stage of treatment, performs the following the following: passes instruments and materials to and retrieves them from the dentist, illuminates treatment field, retracts tissue and keeps field free of debris using irrigation and oral evacuation devices. Assists the dentist, ENT physician and oral surgeon in the operating room whilepatients are under general anesthesia or I.V. sedation in each treatment procedure e.g. extraction, reduction of fractures, alveoplasty, and all other dental surgical procedures. Operates radiographic equipment to procure intra/extra-oral radiographs. Uses precautionary measures to protect self and patients from over exposure to X-rays, e.g., protective lead aprons, film badges, etc.. Schedules patient appointments in manual logs and computer terminals; makes arrangements for treatment in the operating room, coordinates laboratory procedures and patient appointments with dental laboratory personnel. Maintains the Dental Fund Control Point in a manner that allows for all essential supplies to be purchased on a regular and continuing basis. Performs dental laboratory support duties including pouring/trimming models from impressions in fabrication prosthetic appliances; constructs custom trays for crown/bridge impressions and trays for final complete denture impressions; boxes/pours impressions. Performs equipment pre/post operative maintenance, e.g., lubricates, dusts,cleans, polishes, changes solutions, etc.. Uses aseptic techniques to prepare dental patient care areas and operating room.Selects the correct instruments, materials and supplies needed and prepares instrument trays and sets for each procedure. In the performance of official duties, the employee has regular access to print and electronic files containing sensitive data, which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy and VHA policy. Cross-trains with every dentist and with the consultants through a rotation schedule devised by the supervisor. Work requires the knowledge and skills necessary for the employee to provide patient care, which is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, emotional and 3 chronological maturation needs of the early adulthood through senior adulthood patient. Performs other duties as assigned that are necessary to accomplish the mission of the DVA and the Dental Service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00317F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact terrell.gorham@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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