Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant serves within the New Mexico VA Health Care System Dental Service, assisting with dental procedures and processes under appropriate supervision. The role includes supporting routine and specialized dental care, monitoring patients during treatment and recovery, maintaining dental equipment and infection-control standards, documenting care, and providing patient education. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is not virtual or telework eligible. The position is permanent and is not authorized for recruitment or relocation incentives or permanent change of station assistance.

The incumbent must meet VA basic requirements, including U.S. citizenship, spoken and written English proficiency, and qualifying dental assistant experience or education. Radiologic competence certification is required for radiologic procedures; certain otherwise-qualified non-certified applicants may receive a temporary appointment and must obtain certification during that period. Basic life support certification and DANB certification are highly desirable. For the GS-06 full-performance level, candidates must also have at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-05 and demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or familiarity with the work; or successful completion of a one-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Radiologic competence certification for administering radiologic procedures, through one of the specified qualifying examinations, courses, or approved programs. Certain non-certified applicants who otherwise qualify may receive a temporary graduate dental assistant appointment and must obtain certification during that period.
• For the GS-06 Staff Dental Assistant full-performance level: at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-05, in addition to the basic requirements.
• For GS-06: ability to identify normal oral anatomy; advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized procedures for restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care; ability to monitor and basically interpret vital signs; independently provide procedure-specific patient education and refer concerns appropriately; capture diagnostically sound standard and specialty dental images; maintain routine and specialty dental equipment; use electronic dental records to enter and retrieve data; and perform dental-assistant laboratory procedures.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including a background/security investigation and physical evaluation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification is highly desirable for Dental Assistant appointments up to and including GS-06; it is required for positions above the full-performance level.

Responsibilities

• Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude toward patients, coworkers, and the public; respond to questions or concerns and provide service recovery.
• Set up operatories or surgery suites for planned procedures and clean dental units for timely turnover.
• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; maintain a clear operative field and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials according to manufacturer instructions.
• Perform intra-operative work in accordance with infection-control protocols and assist with routine general dentistry using four-handed dentistry concepts.
• Assist with specialized procedures, including oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement and restoration.
• Maintain routine and specialty dental equipment according to manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
• Expose standard and specialty dental images, including TMJ, cephalometric, and cone-beam images, in traditional or digital formats and adjust settings as requested by the provider.
• Demonstrate infection-control procedures when setting up and cleaning operatories; disinfect oral appliances and prepare instruments for transfer to Sterile Processing Service for sterilization.
• Assist in filling gaps in the dentist's schedule caused by late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Initiate computerized progress notes and assist the dentist with charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
• Maintain patient confidentiality under HIPAA and follow computer security regulations.
• Adapt care to patients' ages and abilities, including assisting with transfers and positioning; provide accurate, understandable instructions and education before and after procedures.
• Participate in patient identification and time-out procedures in accordance with Joint Commission requirements.
• Monitor patient condition during treatment and recovery, including vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and pulse oximetry, and watch for signs of physical distress.
• Complete employee education requirements and mandatory annual safety training.
• Pour impressions and prepare study models; make final denture impression trays and bite rims; fabricate athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; and perform other dental laboratory functions as time and skill allow.
• Apply topical anesthetic at injection sites and topical fluoride; take impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary prosthetic impressions; remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
• Provide preventive education and oral hygiene instruction to patients.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• 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; subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for prior-service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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