Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Hot Springs, SD

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant position is within the VA Black Hills Health Care System and supports operations at the Hot Springs, South Dakota location. The incumbent assists dentists with direct patient care and clerical functions, working independently of direct supervision. The full performance level is GS-6.

The role includes preparing and turning over treatment areas, assisting with routine and specialized dental procedures, taking diagnostic dental images, handling dental materials and laboratory work, monitoring patients during treatment, and providing patient education. The Dental Assistant also supports scheduling, charting, supply and timekeeping tasks, and maintains patient confidentiality.

The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. This is a permanent federal position, and the selected employee must complete a pre-employment physical evaluation and a 1- or 2-year trial period.

Requirements

• Six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or familiarity with the work; or successful completion of a one-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Radiologic competence certification through one of the specified routes: the Dental Assisting National Board Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination; the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry; or a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-6 full-performance-level appointment: at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5), demonstrating the core competencies for that level.
• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care.
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriately refer patient concerns to the treating dentist.
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
• Ability to maintain dental equipment used in routine and specialty dentistry.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data using electronic dental records.
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must pass applicable pre-employment screening, including a physical evaluation; selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and, if in a testing-designated position, urinalysis.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must 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 but not required.

Responsibilities

• Treat patients, coworkers, and the public with courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude.
• Set up the operatory or surgery suite for planned procedures and clean the dental unit for timely turnover.
• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; keep the operative field clear and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials according to manufacturers’ instructions.
• Perform intra-operative procedures in accordance with infection-control protocols and comply with reusable medical equipment requirements.
• Assist with routine general dentistry and specialized procedures, including oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics.
• Capture dental images that are diagnostic in quality, accurately oriented, and properly exposed; use imaging safety techniques and minimize retakes.
• Assist patients with appointment scheduling and help fill schedule gaps caused by late cancellations or missed appointments.
• Assist the dentist with documenting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
• Perform timekeeping, dental supply clerk, and local administrative assistant duties.
• Maintain patient confidentiality for written and verbal information in accordance with HIPAA.
• Monitor patients’ condition and vital signs during treatment and watch for signs of physical distress.
• Pour impressions and prepare study models; make final denture impression trays and prepare bite rims.
• Remove sutures and periodontal surgical dressings.
• Take impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Remove temporary crowns or bridges and clean debris from tooth preparations; recement and fabricate temporary crowns.
• Perform coronal polishing and place rubber dams and matrix bands.
• Provide postoperative and other appropriate patient education.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with a birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• 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 federal 401(k) contributions of up to 5%.
• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed