The Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY is recruiting for a Dental Assistant to provide support to the Surgical Services Dental Clinic. The incumbent performs duties necessary to assist the dentists in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. This includes a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures and provides chairside assistance in the clinic setting with an emphasis on fourhanded dentistry. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience/Education: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR, Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. OR, 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: (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, (b) 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, (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). 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 required for all positions above the full performance level. For this position, it is preferred but not required. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-6 Dental Assistant 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 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. Preferred Experience: Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G36 Physical Requirements: Tasks require long periods of bending, standing, walking, and reaching at odd angles. Must frequently carry heavy instruments, or packages of dental materials and supplies. ["Chairside Assisting Measures, records and monitors patient vital signs as requested by provider. Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepares dental medications and impression materials per manufacturers' instructions. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general dental procedures and in specialized dental procedures such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics. Anticipating provider needs at each stage of treatment. Makes preliminary impressions for study casts. Reinforces oral hygiene instructions for patients. Provides post- operative instructions verbally. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Dental Imaging Captures both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., Cone beam) in digital format. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Demonstrated proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects all dental equipment per manufacturer instructions. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures and Policy on Reusable Medical Equipment. Communicates with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Follows policy adorning all proper procedural Personal Protective Equipment. Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments and accurately informing administrative staff of given appointments. Assist in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient electronic medical records. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Direct Patient Care Capture pre-treatment patient vital signs and monitor condition during treatment and recovery. Applications of topical anesthetics and topical fluorides. Takes impressions for diagnostics casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Cleans removable prosthesis removing stain and soft debris. Provides patient preventative educations and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative instructions and other appropriate patient education. Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Provides procedure specific patient education and refers patient concerns to treating dentist. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study casts. Performs other simple laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow, including fabrication of templates and custom trays. Other Perform all other duties assigned by the Chief of Dental Services, Supervisory Dental Assistant or Lead Dental Assistant. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]

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