Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Louis, MO

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant includes the performance of specific duties in order to facilitate the work of the dentist and other dental assistants. Recordkeeping, chairside assistance, radiographic and clinic maintenance comprise a significant segment of dental services. Primarily dental radiography, intra-oral procedures, chairside assistance and other clinical support duties, as well as facilitating the work of dentists. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Dental Assistants at the GS-6 level fulfill all the functions of a lower wage/grade level Dental Assistant, but also have experience working as an assistant to a dental specialist or in a hospital environment. The Dental Assistant is responsible for performing the duties that a dental assistant would be required to perform in a hospital-based dental clinic. The VA St. Louis Health Care System offers a full complement of health care services to eligible veterans.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.
• OR Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)].
• Experience/Education Combination . Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field.
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry. OR Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D).
• Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
• This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment.
• Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies.
• Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.
• Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.
• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.
• Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA.
• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full performance level.
• Five or more years overall experience
• Clinical expanded functions in fixed and / or removable prosthodontics
• Care of medically-complex patients
• Hospitals

Responsibilities

• Preparing for treatment
• Gathering patients records prior to procedure
• Laying out necessary instruments, medications and materials in proper arrangement
• Seating and draping patient
• Explaining treatment procedures to the patient
• Mixing materials for impressions and restorations
• Assembling syringes for anesthesia
• Obtain and record the patient's vitals (blood pressure, temperature, etc)
• May participate in stand-up dentistry or four-handed sit-down dentistry
• Anticipate the dentist's need at each stage of the treatment procedure
• Pass instruments, medications, materials while using proper techniques and dexterity
• Retracting tissue, keeping operation area clear, clipping sutures in oral surgery
• Observe patient throughout treatment for signs of shock, distress, fainting effective communication and influence with patients during treatment episodes

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
• Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree