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The dental assistant assists with routine patient care and selected procedures. Some complex procedures are performed under direct and indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. They will also perform other clinical and clerical functions with in the service.
Learn more about this agency09/01/2022 to 09/23/2022
$40,674 - $52,877 per year
GS 6
No
No
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
Yes
CAZM-11633001-22-JS
674711600
This is an external job announcement. All applicants applying under this external announcement will be subject to Veterans' preference. Current permanent STVHCS employees, current permanent VA Nationwide employees, and current permanent employees from another Federal Agency MUST apply under the INTERNAL announcement, CAZM-11633000-22-JS unless applying by using Veteran Preference.
The functions of the Dental Assistant include but are not limited to:
a. 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
b. Chairside Assisting - Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite 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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry- Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration- Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards- Assists dentist with charting
c. Dental Imaging - 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- 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
d. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories- Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination- Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization- Follows all Standard Operating Procedures, i.e., Reusable Medical Equipment- Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed- Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
e. Administrative Functions - Identifies scheduling gaps in the dentist's clinics and assists MAS with filling gaps- Initiates computerized progress note
f. Information Management - Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information- Follows computer security regulations
g. Patient Safety - 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 Joint Commission requirements- Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
h. Employee Education - Complies with Employee Education requirements- Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
i. Dental Laboratory Functions - Pours impressions and prepares study models- Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims- Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays- Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
j. Direct Patient Care - Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure- Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site- Applies topical fluoride- Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication- Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses- Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction- Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education- Triage patient phone calls or walk-ins to determine the priority of a patient's treatment based on the severity of their condition; obtain and document enough information from the patient so dentist can prepare to treat patient accordingly
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
NOTE: Education must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental] Accreditation (CODA). Search for Dental Programs (ada.org)
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/23/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11633001.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/674711600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's 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 America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is comprised of two inpatient campuses: the Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital in San Antonio and the Kerrville VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas. The STVHCS serves one of the largest primary service areas in the nation, with 63 counties, and is part of the VA Heart of Texas Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17), with offices located in Arlington, Texas. Providing a service to Veterans with a working staff of more than 3,100 employees, South Texas provides health care services for 93,000 Veterans. The STVHCS is a facility providing primary, secondary and tertiary health care in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and rehabilitation medicine. It also supports a 90 bed Extended Care Therapy Center, a 30-bed Spinal Cord Injury Center, an eight-bed Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and a Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center. Affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the system has an active ambulatory care program with numerous satellite outpatient clinics.
