Summary

*This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until April 28 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 11 - 2026. 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.*

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:

• 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
• Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required 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)]
• 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
• (1) 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).(2) 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) Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This [will result in removal from theGS-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 Determinations: Dental Assistant - GS-3 Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• Employees at this level serve in dental assistant career development positions
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues - and require daily close supervision
• Dental Assistant - 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: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling
• 2
• Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies
• 3
• Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval
• 4
• Basic knowledge of maintenance - care and storage of dental equipment
• 5
• Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements
• Assignment
• Employees at this level serve as [developmental] staff dental assistants
• [Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: receiving and preparing patient for treatment including seating - positioning chair - placing napkin - performing disinfection and sterilization procedures
• performing basic chair side assisting with direct instruction from treating dentist
• reporting medical emergencies to dentist
• preparing procedural trays/armamentaria set-ups
• exposing and processing basic dental radiographs with direct supervision
• mounting and labeling dental radiographs and/or saving digital images to the electronic medical record with direct supervision
• complying with standard recommendation for equipment maintenance
• retrieving all pertinent patient records prior to seating the dental patient
• directing patient to appropriate staff for the intent of scheduling visits
• Dental Assistant - GS-5 Experience or Education In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above - applicants must demonstrate (1) at least 1 year of experience [equivalent to at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• OR - (2) 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 paragraph (1) or (2) above - the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality 2
• Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement
• 3
• [Basic] knowledge of instruments - materials and standardized dental procedures
• 4
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA
• 5
• Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol
• Assignment
• Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: responds to basic medical emergencies
• measures and records vital signs
• provides pre- and post- operative instructions
• maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction - suction - irrigation - drying - placing and removing cotton rolls
• using the concepts of four- handed dentistry - assists with basic restorative procedures
• mixes basic dental materials
• assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms
• applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses
• exposes and processes basic dental radiographs
• mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records
• evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality
• maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.] GS-6 Staff 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 1
• Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• 3
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• 4
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• 5
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• 6
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• 7
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• 8
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures]
• 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).

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic - and periodontal care
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
• Passes instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Monitors - and performs basic interpretation of - patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses
• Provides procedure-specific - patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction
• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Assists in specialized dental procedures - such as oral surgery - endodontics - periodontics - prosthodontics - implant placement and restoration
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. - TMJ - cephalometric - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Initiates computerized progress note
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follows computer security regulations
• 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 The Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual training sessions
• Work Schedule: 2-3 Saturdays Per Month - 7:30 AM -4:00 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59268F - 59267F - 59266F - 59277F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized