Summary

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Dental Service - is seeking Dental Assistants to fill several vacancies in Houston. Dental Assistants provide routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under the general supervision of more experienced staff members or the treating dentist.

Qualifications

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:

• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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). - 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: 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
• Exception
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-06 Experience
• At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit
• Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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: Experience planning dental procedures
• Experience passing instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently (four-handed dentistry)
• Experience with intra-operative procedures within the standard infection control protocols
• Experience independently exposing both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - Ceph - Cone Beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Experience taking clinically acceptable x-rays
• Knowledge of Nomad Portable X-ray Devices
• Experience correctly mounting images in CPRS/DRM Plus System within the desired timeframe and can minimize retakes
• Ability to work independently and with multiple providers daily in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to meet the needs of customers and effectively communicate dental terminology with the customer and the dental team
• Ability to effectively interact in a professional & courteous manner with supervisor and other employees to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of the organization
• Knowledgeable in all areas of dentistry including
• General - Periodontics - Prosthodontics - Endodontics and other areas if called to perform
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 7 - 2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under Job Announcement # CBST-12710831-25-MJH
• The duties of a Dental Assistant in the Dental Service include - but are not limited to: Routinely interacts in a professional and courteous manner with managers - co-workers and other employees to accomplish the work of the organization
• Places contaminated instruments in bins for sterilization by the Sterile Processing Service - verifying that the correct instruments are in each kit
• Disinfects all impressions and prostheses before taking them to the Dental Laboratory
• Keeps a neat and clean work area in order to minimize any risk of cross contamination
• 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 - water and/or blood - and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Works closely with the Lead Dental Assistants to comply with employee education requirements and completes all mandatory annual safety training sessions
• Makes accurate entries into the VISTA or CPRS database and Dental Record Manager Plus
• Ensures proper scheduling of patients
• Ensures routing slips are completely and accurately filled out before submission to the clerk(s) for appointing and entering into VISTA
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - CEPH - Cone Beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider
• Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed
• Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques - and ensures retakes are minimized
• Work Schedule: Monday & Friday 7:00 am-7:30 pm - Wednesday 4:00 pm-9:00 pm - Thursday 2:00 pm-7:00 pm - Saturday 7:30 am-2:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 580-00634-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized