Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Lincoln, NE

21d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant supports dentists in direct patient care and independently performs clinical and clerical functions under direct supervision. The role prepares treatment areas and patients, assists chairside, follows infection-control procedures, provides patient education, and handles dental radiographs and records. The position is not eligible for telework or virtual work. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The full-performance level is GS-06; the vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-06.

Applicants must meet the applicable experience or education requirements. Basic qualification can be met with six months of relevant experience, completion of a one-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program, or an equivalent combination. Radiologic procedures require the specified radiologic competence credentials or qualifying education and certification; eligible non-certified applicants may receive a temporary appointment to obtain certification. Basic life support and DANB certification are desirable but not required. Grade-level requirements include additional experience or education and demonstrated knowledge and skills, increasing with grade. The role requires U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and completion of applicable pre-employment, security, and onboarding requirements. Selected employees serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or familiarity with it; alternatively, successful completion of a one-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Radiologic competence for administering radiologic procedures, demonstrated through one of the specified qualifying examinations or programs and certification requirements.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet grade-specific experience, education, and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements for the selected grade.
• Complete required pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and application documentation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if selected.
• For GS-4, demonstrate basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling; dental procedures and medical emergencies; basic radiographic image capture and processing or retrieval; dental equipment maintenance, care, and storage; and patient privacy requirements.
• For GS-5, meet the stated experience or education requirements and demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, diagnostic image quality, common medical emergencies and vital signs, instruments and procedures, ability to use VHA software, and basic communication skills for patient instructions.
• For GS-6, have at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-5 and demonstrate knowledge of oral anatomy; advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized procedures across restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care; ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs; provide procedure-specific patient education and refer concerns; capture diagnostic-quality dental images; maintain dental equipment; use electronic dental records; and perform appropriate laboratory procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is highly desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Set up the operatory or surgery suite for planned dental procedures and clean the dental unit.
• Receive patients and prepare them for treatment.
• Perform disinfection and sterilization procedures.
• Prepare procedural trays and armamentaria setups.
• Provide basic chairside assistance under direct instruction from the dentist.
• Keep the operative field free of debris and retract oral tissues effectively.
• Follow standard infection-control protocols during intra-operative procedures.
• Maintain the field of operation using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, and placement or removal of cotton balls.
• Provide preventive patient education and oral hygiene instruction.
• Expose and process basic dental radiographs under direct supervision.
• Mount and label dental radiographs or save digital imaging to electronic medical records.
• Direct patients to appropriate staff to schedule visits.
• Maintain patient confidentiality for written and verbal information in accordance with HIPAA.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and other factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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