Dental Assistant

The dental assistant facilitate of direct patient care by working together with the dentist in restorative, prosthodontic, maxillofacial prosthodontic, periodontal, endodontic, and oral surgery procedures. They prepare the patients for treatment, schedule appointments, assist with the aspirating of air/water syringes, expose dental radiographs, and take impressions for provisional crowns. Among other ancillary procedures with the objective of helping clinicians achieve optimal oral health.

Major duties but not are limited to: The assistant is responsible to appoint the patient, maintain proper infection control techniques, and follow radiation safety procedures. Preventative maintenance procedures for digital X-rays equipment and exposing good diagnostic quality images with minimal radiation exposure to patients are fundamental to VA healthcare. Review that prophylactic antibiotics were taken by patients prior to treatment and verify the time of day it was administered. Ask patient if there are any changes in medications and or medical conditions since last appointment. Inform of any changes to the primary dentist to document in electronic medical record. Take vital signs on patients before procedure starts and document it for provider. Prepares consent forms for any surgical procedures. All dental assistants should be familiar with expanded dental assisting functions. Some examples include; Open computerized medical record & X-rays on screen in operatory prior to dentist entering operatory. Maintain clean field of operation. During post operative care, remove sutures, dispense gauze and mouth rinses as prescribed by dentist. in computer. Give pre and post op instruction to patients after treatment is completed. Breakdown operatory after procedure completed. Follow proper reusable medical equipment protocols for cleaning and disinfecting dental equipment. Dispense any educational materials and/or supplies patient may need. Inventory supply levels. Maintain required 40 hours of continuing education. Perform assigned detailed duties. Some examples are as follows#: Code cart pre-maintenance Glucose pre-maintenance Awards committee Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 41717F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.