Dental Assistant (Senior Clinical Expanded Function)
What you'd do
The Dental Assistant Senior Clinical Expanded Function (SCEF), shall support the Dental Clinic within the Memphis VA Medical Center by assisting the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Additionally, performs a higher level, scope, complexity and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment, and applies advanced clinical skills.
Major duties
The Dental Assistant Senior Clinical Expanded Function position is located in the Dental Service at the Memphis VA Medical Center. Performs a higher level, scope, complexity, and variety of dental assisting duties representing the clinical assignment and applies advanced clinical skills. Performs the full range of duties for routine patient care with indirect supervision by the treating dentist. Clinical expanded function dental assistants perform assigned selected procedures with some independence. Serves in expanded function dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties. Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification. Expanded function duties: Duties listed in this section comprise at least 25% of the clinical expanded function dental assistant's time. Position may also serve as the Department's timekeeper. Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity. Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses. Recording final impressions Digital dental Imaging and scanning of prepared teeth for Crown, Bridge and Implants. Various stages of partial and denture fabrication including wax rims. Custom Trays for crown and bridge and removable prosthetics. Takes alginate impressions and gathers diagnostic information. Performs pulp vitality testing, charts existing restorations and conditions, selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses. Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands. Places and removes retraction cord, places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration. Removes temporary crown/bridge and cleans tooth preparation of debris. Chairside Duties: Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned procedure and cleans 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 medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Assists in specialized procedures such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Administrative/Clerical: Is in compliance with all VHA, Medical Center and Service Directives, Memorandums and Policies. Effectively participates in staff meetings and service conference calls. Collaborates with dentists, dental hygienists, dental laboratory technicians and schedulers in a manner that enhances coordination of patient care. Is knowledgeable and compliant with Dental Service Infection Control, Universal Precautions and Reusable Medical Equipment standard operating processes. Infection Control: Is in compliance with all VHA, Medical Center and Service Directives, Memorandums and Policies. Effectively participates in staff meetings and service conference calls. Collaborates with dentists, dental hygienists, dental laboratory technicians and schedulers in a manner that enhances coordination of patient care. Has knowledge and expertise in the functionalities applicable to medical record documentation and patient management contained in both the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Dental Record Manager (DRM). Dental Laboratory: Pours and trims dental related stone models and fabricates bite rims. Constructs custom impression trays. Polishes dentures and other prosthetic appliances. Pours, pins and sections crown and bridge models/dies and fabricates vacuum-formed stints, soft mouth guards and fluoride trays. Direct Patient Care: Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse) and condition during invasive treatment. Applies topical anesthetic to the injection site. Applies topical fluoride, provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Dental Imaging: Exposure of standard and specialty dental imaging, modifies settings to achieve images as requested by the provider. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Images are high diagnostic quality and demonstrates proper infection control when exposing images Custormer Service: Effectively communicates with the patient's assigned dentist, dental hygienist, dental laboratory technician and schedulers to facilitate and accomplishment needed dental care. The dental assistant's relationship with supervisors, co-workers, patients, visitors, and the general public is consistently courteous, respectful, cooperative in nature, and overall contributes to the effective operation of the service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm. Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51241F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification. Public Law requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures 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). DANB Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is required at this grade level. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following requirements. GS-8 Dental Assistant (SCEF). At least one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7) or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Competency in expanded functions to include placement and finishing of permanent restorative materials such as amalgam and/or composite; or recording of final impressions. Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of all aspects of dental imaging. Assignment: Representative duties at this level include, but are not limited to: supragingival scaling; placing pit and fissure sealants; placing and finishing permanent restorative materials such as amalgam, glass ionomer or composite resin; making final impressions and adjusting dentures, applying pit and fissure sealants, placing liners and bases, carving amalgams, placing, curing and finishes composite resin restorations. Responsible for the imaging quality control program, troubleshooting and appropriate referral of identified imaging issues. Participates in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis. Specialty functions may include managing post-surgical bleeding, tying-in arch wires and selecting and placing orthodontic brackets. References: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II, Appendix G36; April 19, 2011. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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