Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Detroit, MI

15d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant works in the John D. Dingell VA Outpatient dental clinic, which provides ambulatory health care services to eligible Veterans. The incumbent assists dentists in routine and increasingly complex procedures, including endodontic, oral surgery, implant placement, and periodontal procedures, with guidance from more experienced staff as needed. The role uses four-handed dentistry techniques and provides support to other dental assistants and coworkers.

The position also includes dental imaging, infection control and equipment sterilization, patient education, patient monitoring, clerical support, and dental record management. The incumbent works with dentists, coworkers, Medical Support Assistants, and Sterile Processing Service to support safe and timely patient care. The full performance level is GS-6; candidates may be selected at grades GS-3 through GS-6.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exceptions for non-citizens under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least six months of qualifying experience, or successful completion of a one-year CODA-accredited dental assistant program, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Radiologic competence demonstrated through one of the listed qualifying dental radiology examinations, courses, or approved programs, unless covered by the applicable grandfathering provision.
• For GS-4, at least one year of experience at the next lower level or two years of post-high-school education including a CODA-accredited dental assistant program, plus the specified knowledge and abilities.
• For GS-5, the specified qualifying experience or education, plus the listed knowledge and abilities.
• For GS-6, at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade and the specified technical knowledge and abilities.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements, including light lifting and carrying, use of fingers and both hands, and extended periods of walking, standing, and bending.
• Compliance with pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• For education-based qualification, submission of required transcripts and documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Four years of dental assisting experience.

Responsibilities

• Treat internal and external customers with respect and accountability and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers.
• Assist dentists with routine and increasingly complex procedures, including endodontic, oral surgery, implant placement, and periodontal procedures, with guidance as needed.
• Provide support to other dental assistants and coworkers during the workday and use four-handed dentistry techniques.
• Capture, process, orient, and save dental radiographs and other digital images; operate Planmeca and Scan-X systems and use MIPACS with guidance or supervision.
• Use dental-imaging safety techniques, minimize retakes, maintain imaging equipment according to recommendations, and follow infection-control procedures during radiographic procedures.
• Provide patient-centered preventive education and oral hygiene instructions.
• Prepare and disinfect dental operatories and follow infection-control procedures and clinic standard operating procedures.
• Disinfect dental appliances for transport to and from the dental laboratory and prepare instruments for transfer to Sterile Processing Service for sterilization.
• Follow procedures for reusable medical equipment and coordinate with Sterile Processing Service to ensure instruments are available for patient care.
• Facilitate patient scheduling by providing necessary information to Medical Support Assistants.
• Participate in patient identification and time-out procedures in accordance with Joint Commission National Safety Goals.
• Assist in monitoring patients by noting vital signs.
• Record medical history and chart examinations and treatment plans as directed by the dentist.
• Use Dental Record Manager Plus software to manage patient records.
• Complete laboratory prescriptions accurately and schedule patients promptly for intermediate prosthetic steps to support completion of care.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service, with possible prior-work or military-service credit subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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