Dental Assistant at Northampton

JOB SUMMARY:

 Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 946414

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.  
How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.

The Medical Center serves over 25,000 patients at its main campus and five community based outpatient clinics in Central and Western Massachusetts. Core missions are primary care, mental health inpatient and outpatient care, and extended care. The Medical Center is engaging employees in a Culture of Improvement, utilizing a variety of Process Improvement techniques to improve efficiency of clinical operational functions to the benefit of veterans and staff.NOTE:  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the step at which the candidate will be placed in that specific grade.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

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.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:Back to top

Dental assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistants above the full performance level, performing more complex procedures under general supervision of the staff dentist or service chief.  They have advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized materials used in the specialty regimens in dentistry.  They also have advanced knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for clinical and laboratory operations.

Customer Service:

·  Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public 

·  Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery

Chair-side Assisting:

·  Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure 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

·  Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer’s instructions

·  Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols

·  Assists in routine general dental procedures 

·  Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, 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

·  Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame 

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:

·  Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories

·  Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards

·  Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care

·  Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

Clerical Functions:

·  Assists patients in scheduling appointments

·  Assists in filling gaps in the doctor’s schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments

·  Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records

Information Management:

·  Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information

·  Follows computer security regulations

Patient Safety:

·  Modifies care as necessitated by patients age and abilities (patient transfer and position)

·  Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients

·  Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements

·  Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress

Dental Laboratory Functions:

·  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

Direct Patient Care:

·  Assists with oral surgery in clinical setting and in the OR setting

·  Assists with dental specialty surgical procedures

·  Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

·  Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris

·  Coronal polishing of teeth

·  Place rubber dams and matrix bands

·  Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

U.S. citizenship- Non-citizens may 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.

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.

Knowledge of Current Professional Dental Assistants Practices- To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities [(KSAs)], and other characteristics (also referred to as “core competencies”) associated with current professional dental assisting practice.  Evidence of such experience includes graduation from a certified dental assisting training program, experience in private practice, VHA, Department of Defense (DoD), or other federal[, state, community or charitable] health care agency.

 

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

 

 

Quality of Experience- Experience is only creditable after the training program certifies that the individual has completed all required courses, an internship if it is part of the program, and graduated with passing grades.

Part-Time Experience- Part-time experience as a dental assistant is credited according to its relationship to full-time workweek.  For example, a dental assistant would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.

 

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS 6

a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to aquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*)

KSAS:

1. Knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures used in the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

2. Knowledge of anatomy of hte oral structures and an understanding of the surgical procedures performed.

*3. Advanced knowledge Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards for clinical and laboratory operations

References: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36

PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.  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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Moderate lifting and carrying 15-44 pounds, Use of Fingers, Both Hands Required, Walking (6 hours), Standing (6 hours), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near Vision, Far Vision, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (Aid Permitted), Outside and Inside, Working with Hands in Water, Working Closely with others, Working Alone.

Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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Country: USA, State: Massachusetts, City: Northampton, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.