Summary This position functions primarily in Dental Service at the Mann­ Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. The dental assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Responsibilities Duties will vary at grade levels, but at the GS-6: Patient Care Compliant with patient identification requirements. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. Role in the Medication Reconciliation Process and Time-Out process. Compliant in meeting assistant role in the informed consent process using the iMED link in Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM). Compliant in infection control protocols in all aspects of the care process. Keeps patients informed of clinic delays. Charts findings and treatment plans in Dental Record Manager. Assists the dental hygiene staff with periodontal charting within Dental Record Manager (DRM). Accurately takes and records the patient Health History. Completes electronic return-to-clinic orders using EHRM. Captures and saves intra and extra-oral digital radiological images. Maintains an inventory of expendable dental materials within assigned Dental Treatment Room (DTR). Demonstrates a working knowledge of dental eligibility and the scope of care. Has knowledge of and skill in detecting signs of syncope, shock or other adverse reactions to dental treatment and observes the patient throughout treatment for signs of fainting, shock, or other distress. Has knowledge of the specialized instruments, materials, dental procedures and techniques. Prepares the operatory with all needed equipment, materials and supplies. Anticipates the dentist's need at each stage of the treatment procedure and makes instrumentation and/or materials readily available. Prepares dental materials, including dental impression materials or bonding agents. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures. Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions. Removes crown/bridge temporaries and cleans the prepared tooth of debris. Fits and cements temporary restorations in patients' mouth. Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners, topical anesthetic and other topical agents. Instructs patients in preventive dental care practices, care of prosthodontic appliances and other oral healthcare education. Independently provides procedure-specific patient education and provides appropriate referral of patient concerns to the treating dentist. Provides patient post-operative education, clearly and concisely and in a manner which the patient can understand on his or her level. Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment. Collects samples for testing dental unit water-line quality. Dental Laboratory Pours primary impressions for acceptable stone models and trims stone models. Constructs custom impression trays. Polishes dentures and other prosthetic appliances. Fabricates bite rims, vacuum-formed stints, soft mouth guards and fluoride trays. Dental Laboratory tracker. Performs other dental laboratory functions. Administrative Follows all VHA, Medical Center and Service Directives, Memorandums and Policies. Collaborates and effectively communicates with dentists, dental hygienists, fellow dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians, secretary and schedulers. Has knowledge and expertise in the use of the functionalities applicable to medical record documentation and patient management contained in both the Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM), Millennium Electronic Dental Record Manager (EDRM), MiPAC® radiology software. Is knowledgeable and compliant with Dental Service Infection Control, Universal Precautions and Reusable Medical Equipment standard operating processes. Has knowledge and expertise in scheduling patients per VHA scheduling Directives. Prints daily schedule for each provider while observing privacy directives/policy. Prints medication reconciliation lists for all dental patients if requested. Efficiently provides coverage of reception when needed, to include outstanding customer service. Answers phone takes messages and efficiently passes messages as appropriate. Provides timely Dental Telephone Care/Triage and appropriately dispositions patients to a dentist when warranted. Dispositions patients at the time that the patient presents for scheduling or calls to cancel and/or reschedule their appointment. Schedules patients within clinically appropriate date range. Assists Reception Area with monthly exam rosters and with appointing patients for recall. Accurately updates patient demographic data as needed Performs EHRM notation, takes medical or dental history and interviews patients to commensurate training, and utilizes generalized ancillary clinical abilities/skills when unit staffing allows or necessitates. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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). 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 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). Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certifi-cation is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full performance level. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues, and require daily close supervision. GS-4 Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. GS-5 Experience or Education: In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience: At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures Preferred Experience: Dental Assistant experience at least one year Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: This work requires light carrying (under 15lbs), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, depth perception, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), emotional and mental stability, critical thinking skills, twisting, full dexterity of both arms, wrist, hand and fingers, and work independently. Environmental factors are working in excessive noise, intermittent, fumes, smoke, or gases, unusual fatigue factors, working closely with others, working alone, aerosols, flame, solvent fumes, and bodily fluids. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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 Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.