This position within Baltimore VA Medical Center performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment and applies advanced clinical skills. 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. Experience and Education: You must meet one of the following basic requirements. Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification of Radiologic Competence. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field through one of the following: (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, (b) 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, (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). (The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants.) English Language Proficiency. A candidate will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 level that demonstrates the knowledge associated with current professional dental assisting practice performing a higher level, scope, complexity and variety representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills such as using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration In addition, you must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc). References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent standing bending, reaching and walking. The employee will wear personal protective equipment to include gloves, mask, gown and eye shields. The selectee must be able to lift and carry loads up to 30 pounds. Must have full manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. This may be considered demanding physical activity. ["Duties include but not limited to: Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision from the treating dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a dentist. Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties. Assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity. Gathers diagnostic information. Performs pulp vitality testing. Charts existing restorations and conditions. Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses. Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands. Places and removes retraction cord. Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration. Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns. Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces. Removes sutures. Places and removes surgical dressings. Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses. 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. 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. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment. Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: FS # 00000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]