Dental Assistant (Clinical Expanded Function)

Veterans Health Administration • Evansville, IN

5h • Onsite

About The Position

The Evansville Health Care Center in Evansville, Indiana, is hiring a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) for Dental Service. The incumbent provides direct patient care within the scope of practice, demonstrates mastery of a range of dental procedures and interventions, and makes independent professional decisions and recommendations to the treating dentist and interdisciplinary teams. This position is above the full-performance level and requires current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification.

The EFDA assists general dentists and dental specialists with direct patient care and independently performs advanced clinical, laboratory, and clerical duties. The role includes expanded-function procedures, chairside assistance, dental imaging, infection control and equipment sterilization, patient-record and schedule support, and dental laboratory work. The incumbent informs the supervisor of problems or unusual situations and recommends appropriate action. Work is reviewed overall by the supervisor for conformity with Dental Service policies and requirements.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. Work takes place in a hospital-based dental clinic with recurring exposure to contagious diseases, aerosols, blood and body fluids, radiation, mercury contamination, and chemical agents. Universal precautions, including at least gloves, masks, and eye protection, are required during patient treatment. Physical demands include prolonged standing and walking, considerable bending and stooping, and assisting patients from wheelchairs or supporting patients on stretchers or gurneys.

Requirements

• Current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is required for this above-full-performance-level position.
• Meet the basic experience or education qualification through six months of relevant experience, successful completion of a one-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Meet radiologic competence requirements through an accepted dental radiation health and safety examination, approved coursework and examinations, or an approved state board or Department of Defense program.
• For GS-7, have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent demonstrating the required core competencies.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform expanded dental assisting functions and comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques, such as cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic, and TMJ imaging.
• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated limited exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Complete a pre-employment drug test if selected for a testing-designated position, background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation or examination; comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as assigned.
• Provide DANB and radiologic competence certifications with the application.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform expanded-function procedures, including oral-cavity inspections, gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting restorations and conditions, selecting prosthesis shades, placing and removing rubber dams, matrix bands, retraction cord, temporary restorations, surgical dressings, and sutures, and fabricating, adjusting, and cementing temporary crowns.
• Remove temporary crowns or bridges and clean tooth preparations; remove supragingival permanent cement; monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia; polish teeth and removable prostheses; and remove hard accretions from removable prostheses.
• Provide courteous, respectful service to patients, coworkers, and the public; respond to questions or concerns and provide service recovery.
• Assist with restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care using advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized procedures, including four-handed dentistry.
• Monitor and perform basic interpretation of patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment and recovery; prepare medicaments and impression materials according to manufacturer instructions; follow infection-control protocols; and relay patient concerns to the treating dentist.
• Maintain routine and specialty dental equipment according to manufacturer instructions and Dental Service standards.
• Provide instruction on advanced dental imaging techniques; expose standard and specialty images in traditional or digital formats; adjust settings as requested; capture diagnostic-quality images with correct orientation and exposure; follow imaging safety practices; and complete imaging requests on time.
• Set up and clean operatories, disinfect oral appliances, prepare instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization, follow reusable medical equipment procedures, and coordinate with SPS to ensure instruments are available.
• Help fill schedule gaps after cancellations or failed appointments; initiate computerized progress notes; assist the dentist with documenting findings and treatment plans; protect patient confidentiality under HIPAA; and follow computer security regulations.
• Complete required employee education and annual training and maintain required DANB certification.
• Perform dental laboratory work, including pouring impressions, preparing study models, making final denture impression trays and bite rims, cleaning removable prostheses, fabricating athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays, and completing other requested laboratory functions.
• Inform the supervisor of problems or unusual situations and recommend appropriate action.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to review the federal benefits information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed