They Cheyenne WY VA, Dental Service is currently recruiting for 3 Dental Assistants for the Loveland Community Outpatient Clinic in Loveland Colorado. **This is an open continuous announcement. We accept applications for this occupation on an ongoing basis; Applicants will be referred to selecting official on a continual basis until all vacancies are filled OR until the closing date of this announcement. Applicants need not re-apply once the application is referred to the selecting official. To qualify for this announcement, you must meet all the requirement by the closing date: BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English Experience and Education 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. 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. b. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies. c. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. d. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. e. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. GS-5 Experience or Education In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience [equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR, Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. In addition to meeting the areas above, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: a. Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. b. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. c. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. d. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. e. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol GS-6 Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: a. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. b. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. c. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. d. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. e. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. f. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. g. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. h. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. The full performance level of this announcement is a GS-06. Physical Requirement: Able to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have a good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. ["The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.\nFunctions:\nCustomer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public\nProvides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery\nChairside Assisting\nSets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover\nPasses instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently\nKeeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably\nPrepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions\nAccomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols\nAssists in routine general dental procedures\nAssists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics\nDental Imaging\nImages are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed\nDental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame\nInfection Control and Equipment Sterilization\nDemonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories\nInstruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards\nInstruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care\nDemonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images\nClerical Functions\nAssists patients in scheduling appointments\nAssists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments\nAssists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records\nInformation Management\nMaintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information\nFollows computer security regulations\nPatient Safety\nModifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients\nParticipates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements\nMonitor's patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress\nEmployee Education\nComplies with Employee Education requirements\nCompletes mandatory annual safety training sessions\nDental Laboratory Functions\nPours impressions and prepares study models\nMakes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims\nPerforms other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow\nDirect Patient Care\nSuture Removal\nImpressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication\nProvides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Dental Assistant/PD000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]