Dental Assistant(Fee Basis)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Dental assistants at this level serve as staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. The dental assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.
Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ ceph cone beam) in traditional and/or 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.
Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.
Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments. This includes clerical functions such as receiving and making telephone calls scheduling appointments from RTC orders and entering RTC orders when necessary. Assists in filling gaps in the doctors schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.
Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patients age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment being alert for signs of physical distress.
Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.
Direct Patient Care: 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. Provides postoperative and other appropriate patient education.
Rate of Pay and Work Schedule: Rate is set per unit unit is equivalent to the initial set up and preparation of a dental treatment room support to the Dentist during procedure and RMD disassembly pre-treatment and transport. Per unit rate is determined to be $35.00. An annual limitation of pay for services is limited to $70000. (NTE) Not to Exceed two years appointment.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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.
• 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 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement

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:
  • Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicants 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 Associations Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
    OR
  • (3) 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
    (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).
• English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 chapter 2 section D paragraph 5a.