Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Summary

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. The Dental Assistant receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the Dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1) Current permanent VA Roseburg Healthcare System Employees. 2) Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) Employees. 3) Current and upcoming participants of the VA Health Professions Training (HPT) Graduates.

Duties

FUNCTIONS, BUT NOT LIMITED:

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 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 standard

Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery

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

Suture Removal

Re-cement and fabricate temporary crowns EFDA only

Coronal polishing of teeth

Place rubber dams

Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure

Pours impressions and prepares study models

Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims

Fabricates occlusal guards and bleaching trays

Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow

Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in 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

Shares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to others

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

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

Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination

Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization

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

Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed

Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Various Hours - 0730-1500

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 probationary 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 . 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).

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 only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education/Experience - Experience. (1) 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.

Certification - Public Law 9735 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. Alternative 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

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,

Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).

Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification - Required for all position above the Full Performance level Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Verification of the certification can be made by going to . The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants.

English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for a Dental Assistant - Clinical Expanded Functions.

GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

a. Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions.

b. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).

Assignment: In this position, the employee performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills. Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting of existing conditions, placing of rubber dam and matrices, selecting shades, placing retraction cord, placing and removing temporary restorations, fabricating temporary crowns and removing permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. In addition, the expanded function assistant may place and remove surgical dressing, monitor nitrous oxide analgesia, and perform coronal polishing and the cleaning and polishing of removable prostheses

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Education

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: . 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: .

Additional information

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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, resume, 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 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume

SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter

License

Other (1)

Professional Certification

Resume

SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Transcript

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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 .

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.