Dental Assistant

The Chalmers P. Wylie VA Outpatient Clinic is a medical clinic which provides a full range of ambulatory health care services to eligible veterans. The incumbent will be responsible for performing the duties of a dental assistant in an Outpatient Dental Clinic.

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)].

OR,

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. 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.

Grade Determinations :

GS-6 - Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level)

A. Experience.

At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

B. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

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.

Preferred Experience: 2 Years experience in dental assistance.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G36.The full performance level of this vacancy is 06.

Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing or standing are required in the position. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects is required. 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: . 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: .