Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Dallas, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant, above full performance level, assigned to the Dental Outpatient Clinic performing a wide range of direct and indirect patient care duties in both the Operating Room (OR) and the OMFS suites. Incumbent must be able to perform effectively in both areas with a high level of skill. The OMFS Dental Assistant is responsible for seating patients in treatment area and performing chair side assistance which consist of the following: setting up operatory for planned dental procedure, 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. The OMFS Dental Assistant assists in routine general dental procedures and in specialized dental procedures, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontic, periodontics, dental implant surgery, and prosthodontics. Performs dental imaging which consists of taking digital and/or conventional radiographs of in-patients and outpatients according to prescription, including periapical, bitewing, occlusal, panoramic, cephalometric, and temporomandibular joint tomographs. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized, therefore, imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Responsible for Infection Control by demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories as well as safety procedures in exposing images. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards and in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Maintains patient confidentiality per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with written and verbal information and follows computer security regulations. Incumbent observes and complies with all established safety practices. Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities and provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission requirements, assures Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are updated and monitors patient condition during treatment being alert for signs of physical distress. Responsible for reporting any work-related injuries, illnesses, and diseases immediately to your supervisor. Ensures that working conditions and work practices within the worksite are such that the possibilities of on-the-job injuries are minimized. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education under the direction and supervision of Dentist and helps with the patient preparation, monitoring and necessary paperwork, before, during and after Moderate Sedation Process. Informs the patient about the nature of the procedure, how long it will take the risks, benefits and possible alternatives. The OMFS assistant is the first member of the surgical team in the suite; therefore, the incumbent must have knowledge and skills to prepare and be proficient in all types of complex OMFS procedures. Assists surgeons while patient is under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia in procedures which include facial trauma, pre-prosthetic or reconstructive surgery, and orthognatic surgery. Is able to assist in basic and advanced cardiac life support when required. When assisting in the OR, performs the duties of scrub nurse. Prepares and drapes the patient, passes the instruments, suctions and irrigates the field, retracts the tissues, cuts sutures and applies force to chisels, anticipates the surgeon's needs at each stage of operation. At the end of the operation, he/she applies surgical dressing, packages and sends tissues to pathology laboratory. Removes contaminated instruments, scrubs, and prepares the surgical tray for the next case on the schedule.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• Must complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section.
• Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.
• OR, Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Must meet credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 for administering radiologic procedures.
• Must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in 42 CFR Part 75 and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field.
• Either: (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).
• 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.
• Failure to obtain certification during the temporary appointment period is justification for termination.
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to perform dental assisting expanded duties.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).

Nice To Haves

• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is highly desirable for appointment up to and including the full performance level.
• 3-5 years of OMFS experience.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standard dental procedures used in dental and OMFS 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 enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.

Responsibilities

• Perform chairside assistance, including setting up and cleaning operatories, passing instruments, and maintaining a clear operative field.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials.
• Accomplish all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Assist in routine general dental procedures and specialized procedures such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, dental implant surgery, and prosthodontics.
• Perform dental imaging, including digital and conventional radiographs, ensuring diagnostic quality and adherence to safety techniques.
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures for operatories and imaging.
• Prepare instruments for sterilization according to SPD standards.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and follow computer security regulations.
• Observe and comply with all established safety practices.
• Modify care based on patient's age and abilities and provide clear patient instructions.
• Participate in patient identification and time out procedures.
• Ensure Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are updated and monitor patient condition during treatment.
• Report any work-related injuries, illnesses, and diseases immediately to a supervisor.
• Minimize the possibilities of on-the-job injuries by ensuring safe working conditions and practices.
• Provide post-operative and other appropriate patient education under the supervision of a Dentist.
• Assist with patient preparation, monitoring, and paperwork before, during, and after Moderate Sedation Process.
• Inform patients about the nature, duration, risks, benefits, and alternatives of procedures.
• Prepare and be proficient in all types of complex OMFS procedures.
• Assist surgeons during intravenous sedation or general anesthesia in procedures such as facial trauma, pre-prosthetic or reconstructive surgery, and orthognathic surgery.
• Assist in basic and advanced cardiac life support when required.
• Perform duties of a scrub nurse when assisting in the OR, including preparing and draping the patient, passing instruments, suctioning and irrigating, retracting tissues, cutting sutures, and applying force to chisels.
• Anticipate the surgeon's needs at each stage of the operation.
• Apply surgical dressing, package, and send tissues to the pathology laboratory at the end of an operation.
• Remove contaminated instruments, scrub, and prepare the surgical tray for the next case.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make a federal career rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree