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 position is located in Dental Service at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-6 full performance level of this assignment, Dental Assistants serve as staff dental assistants at the full performance level for routine patient care and perform more complex patient procedures under the general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. It is expected that a GS-6 level assistant perform more complex procedures while receiving less frequent supervision than at the GS-3-5 level. Duties will include: Compliant in 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. Compliant in 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 prosthodontics. Compliant in 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. Compliant in 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. Compliant in 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, treatment plans, and treatment in patient records (including the use of Millennium, Dental Record Manager, and VISTA). Performs other clerical duties as assigned. Compliant in Information Management. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Compliant in 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 (JC) requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Compliant in Employee Education. Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) Qualification. Compliant in Dental Laboratory Functions. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Prepares cases for the dental laboratory and ensures timely retrieval of completed cases from the laboratory. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. Compliant in Direct Patient Care. Remove sutures. Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris. Recement and fabricate temporary crowns. Vital signs monitoring. Administers oxygen (in emergencies and routinely via transfer from patient's oxygen tank to the same liter flow on operatory oxygen and returns to patient's oxygen after treatment). Applies fluoride products, as ordered by dentist. Applies topical anesthetics, as ordered by dentist. Applies other topical medications and medicaments, as ordered by dentist. Administers pre-procedural mouth rinses, as ordered by dentist. Coronal polishing of teeth. Place rubber dams and matrix band. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Telephonically addresses patient care issues and documents for review by the dentist. Performs other permissible direct patient care issues as time and skill levels allow. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required