Dental Assistant

Overview

The Dental Assistant position is in the Dental Service at the Leeds, MA location. This is a Full-Time position at 40 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Customer Service: Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; provide assistance to customers with questions or concerns, and provide service recovery.
• Chairside Assisting: Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and clean the dental unit for timely turnover; pass instruments safely and efficiently; keep the operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably; prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturers\’ instructions; accomplish intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Dental Imaging: Ensure diagnostic quality images, accurately oriented and exposed; utilize imaging safety techniques and minimize retakes; imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Ensure infection control standards are met; demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories; instruments are prepared for sterilization by SPD standards; prepare instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Clerical Functions: Assist patients in scheduling appointments; help fill gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; chart findings, treatment plans and treatment provided in patients\’ electronic records.
• Information Management: Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA; follow computer security regulations.
• Patient Safety: Modify care as necessitated by patient\\\’s age and abilities; provide accurate and understandable instructions; participate in patient identification and time-out per JCAHO requirements; monitor patient condition during treatment and signs of distress; monitor patient blood pressure during recovery following procedure.
• Employee Education: Comply with annual safety training; serve as Education Liaison for the Dental Service.
• Dental Laboratory: Function pours impressions and prepares study models; make final denture impression trays and prepare bite rims; perform other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.
• Direct Patient Care: Remove sutures and periodontal surgical dressings; take impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication; remove temporary crowns/bridges and clean tooth preparation of debris; recement and fabricate temporary crowns; coronal polishing of teeth; place rubber dams and matrix bands; provide postoperative and other appropriate patient education.

Work Schedule

Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Other Work Arrangements

• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available.
• Telework: Not Available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement

F08143

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not Available.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Available.

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO)

Not Available.

Probationary Period

According to Executive Order 14284, the first two years of continuous service in the same or similar position for preference-eligible individuals in the excepted service is a trial period. The first two years of continuous service in the same or similar position for individuals in the excepted service (not a preference eligible) is a trial period.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used as acceptable 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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, per VA policy.
• Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant\\\’s ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.
• Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association\\\’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
• OR Education/Experience Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Certification

Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet credentialing standards; they must have completed an educational program that meets the standards and be certified as radiographers in their field.

Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence

• Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination by the DANB; OR
• Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed for VA; OR
• Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state dental board or the DoD.

English Language Proficiency

Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standards (if applicable).

Grade Level

• GS-6 (Full Performance Level)

Experience (GS-6)

At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent, including such duties as measuring and recording Vital signs; providing pre- and post-operative instructions; maintaining a field of operation during dental procedures; assisting with basic restorative procedures; and mixing basic dental materials.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Identify normal oral anatomy.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures in restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.
• Monitor and interpret vital signs.
• Provide patient education and appropriate referral to the treating dentist.
• Capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
• Maintain and repair dental equipment; enter and retrieve data in electronic dental records; perform appropriate laboratory procedures.
• Independently provide procedure-specific patient education.

Preferred Experience

Five years of experience preferred.

Reference

For more information, visit the VA Qualification Standards page.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements

• Stand for long periods; use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

Education Note

Notes on education and equivalency: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may qualify for Federal employment. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Additional information

Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of service. This job posting 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. If you cannot apply online, contact the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. The Fair Chance Act prohibits requesting criminal history before a tentative job offer. More information is available at HRA/OSP. Candidates should be committed to public service and upholding the Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. Open to federal benefits information.

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