Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Lincoln, NE

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant supports the dentist in direct patient care and independently performs clinical and clerical functions under direct supervision. The role includes preparing and cleaning the operatory or surgery suite, preparing patients and procedural trays, sterilizing equipment, and providing chairside assistance. During procedures, the assistant maintains a clear operative field using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, and cotton-ball placement or removal while following infection-control protocols. The position also provides preventive oral-health education, captures and processes basic dental radiographs under direct supervision, manages imaging records, directs patients to staff for scheduling, and protects patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position is not available for telework or virtual work. The full-performance level is GS-06; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-06. The position requires applicable experience or education and radiologic competency for radiologic procedures. Basic life support certification and DANB certification are highly desirable but not required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizen appointment is permitted under VA policy because qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: 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 the applicable grade-level requirements for the grade selected, which may include relevant experience, education, and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For radiologic procedures, meet the applicable radiologic credentialing standards and demonstrate radiologic competence through an accepted examination or approved program.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Undergo required pre-employment drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Be subject to background and security investigation and complete the online onboarding process.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; beginning May 7, 2025, non-REAL-ID-compliant driver's licenses or state identification cards are not acceptable for this purpose.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Complete all application requirements listed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Participate in a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in basic life support methods.
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

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 the dentist's direct instruction.
• Keep the operative field free of debris and retract oral tissues effectively.
• Follow standard infection-control protocols during intra-operative procedures.
• Maintain the operative field during dental procedures 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 images 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

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• 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.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment: up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to eligibility and a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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