Summary

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System is hiring one Lead Dental Assistant located in Muskogee - OK.

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) Experience and EducationExperience
• 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)]
• Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• Certification
• Public Law 97-35 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
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence (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 - Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).] (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• [(4) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants
• Grade Requirements: GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice - and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants
• Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments
• Ability to assist in dental program development - outcome management - and strategic planning
• Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor
• Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants
• This is above Full Performance Level.

Duties

• List the major duties and responsibilities of the position
• Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity and gathers diagnostic information
• Charts existing restoration and conditions
• Select shades for fixed and removable prostheses
• Places and remove rubber dams and matrix bands
• Places and removes retraction cord
• Places and removes temporary restoration
• Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris
• Fabricates - adjusts - and cements temporary crowns
• Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
• Assists with vitality testing
• Places and removes surgical dressings
• Removes sutures
• Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth
• 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
• Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic - and periodontal care
• Monitors - and performs basic interpretation of - patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
• 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
• 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
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Provides procedure-specific - patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction
• 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
• Relays patient concerns to treating dentist
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques to provide instruction (e.g. - cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc.)
• Possesses ability to identify anatomy
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - cephalometric - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• 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
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Initiates computerized progress note
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Work Schedule: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday (4 Days total) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51289A