Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • North Charleston, SC

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Charleston VA Healthcare Network is seeking a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant to perform advanced dental assisting duties involving greater scope, complexity, and clinical responsibility. Under indirect supervision from a lead dental assistant, supervisor, or dentist, the incumbent provides routine patient care and independently performs selected expanded-function procedures.

The role includes expanded-function clinical procedures, chairside assistance for general and specialty dental care, dental imaging, infection control and sterilization, clerical and information-management duties, patient safety, employee education, dental laboratory work, and direct patient care. Specialty procedures may include oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement and restoration. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. The full-performance level is GS-06; selection for this vacancy is at GS-07.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. candidates are unavailable.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the following: six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform dental assistant duties or familiarity with the work; successful completion of a one-year CODA-accredited Dental Assistant program; or an equivalent combination of qualifying education and experience.
• Meet radiologic competency requirements under Public Law 97-35 and 42 CFR Part 75 through DANB's Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination, VA-approved dental radiology and radiographic safety courses and examinations, or a radiation health and safety program approved by a State Board of Dentistry or the Department of Defense.
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is required.
• For GS-7, at least one year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent demonstrating the core competencies at that level.
• For GS-7, demonstrate the ability to perform expanded dental assisting functions and comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques, including cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic, and TMJ imaging.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is highly desirable.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination and background/security investigation and complete the online onboarding process.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• The position requires a 1- or 2-year trial period.
• Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform expanded dental functions, including oral inspections, gathering diagnostic information, pulp vitality testing, charting restorations and oral conditions, and selecting prosthesis shades.
• Place and remove rubber dams, matrix bands, retraction cords, and intracoronal temporary restorations; remove temporary crowns and bridges; clean tooth preparations; fabricate, adjust, and cement temporary crowns; and remove excess cement, sutures, and surgical dressings.
• Monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia and perform coronal polishing.
• Provide courteous, respectful, and professional service to patients, coworkers, and the public; address questions and concerns and provide service recovery when needed.
• Prepare operatories and dental units, pass instruments, maintain the operative field and retract oral tissues, prepare dental materials according to manufacturer instructions, and follow infection control standards.
• Assist with general and specialty dental procedures, including oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement and restoration.
• Maintain routine and specialty dental equipment.
• Expose standard and specialty dental radiographs, including TMJ, cephalometric, and cone beam imaging; adjust imaging settings, ensure correct image orientation and exposure, follow radiation safety protocols, minimize retakes, and complete imaging requests on time.
• Set up and break down operatories using infection control procedures; disinfect oral appliances; prepare instruments for sterilization through SPD; follow Reusable Medical Equipment procedures; coordinate with SPD to maintain instrument availability; and apply infection control standards during imaging.
• Assist patients with appointment scheduling and fill schedule gaps caused by cancellations and no-shows.
• Initiate computerized progress notes and assist dentists with charting findings and treatment plans.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance, patient confidentiality, and computer and information security.
• Adapt patient care to age, mobility, and functional abilities; provide understandable instructions; participate in patient identification and time-out procedures; and monitor patients for physical distress.
• Complete mandatory employee education and attend annual safety and compliance training.
• Pour impressions and prepare study models; fabricate final denture impression trays and bite rims; create athletic mouthguards and bleaching trays; and perform other laboratory procedures as qualified.
• Monitor and record vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and pulse oximetry; observe patients during invasive procedures and recovery; apply topical anesthetics and fluoride treatments; take diagnostic and preliminary prosthetic impressions; and remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
• Provide preventive dental education, oral hygiene instruction, and postoperative and patient care instructions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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