Job Title: Dental Assistant

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Agency: Veterans Health Administration

Salary: $59,901 to $77,867 / Per Year

Pay Scale & Grade: GS-6

Locations: 2 vacancies – Santa Rosa, California

Remote Job: No

Telework Eligible: No

Travel Required: Not required

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No

Appointment Type: Permanent

Work Schedule: Full-time

Service: Excepted

Promotion Potential: 7

Job Family (Series): 0681 - Dental Assistant

Supervisory Status: No

Security Clearance: Other

Drug Test: Yes

Position Sensitivity and Risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust Determination Process: Credentialing, Suitability/Fitness

Summary:

Dental assistants at this level serve in staff dental assistant positions, independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general administrative supervision. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision .

Dental Assistants with experience in endo/oral surgery/resto highly preferred

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS AGENCY

Marketing Message:

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? Established in 1934, the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SFVAHCS) has a long history of conducting cutting edge research, establishing innovative medical programs, and providing compassionate care to Veterans. SFVAHCS has 104 operating beds and a 120-bed Community Living Center. Primary and mental health care is provided at outpatient clinics in: Clearlake, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Ukiah, and San Bruno. There is a specialized homeless veteran's clinic in downtown San Francisco.

Duties:

a. Customer Service

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude to patients, co-workers and the public.

• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

b. Chairside Assisting

• 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 medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.

• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.

• Assists in routine general dental procedures.

• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, surgical periodontics and implant restorations.

c. Dental Imaging

• 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.

d. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories.

• Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.

• Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.

• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.

e. Clerical Functions

• Assists patients in scheduling appointments.

• Assists 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 records.

f. Information Management

• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.

• Follows computer security regulations.

g. 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.

h. Employee Education

• Complies with Employee Education requirements.

• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.

i. Dental Laboratory Functions

• Pours impressions and prepares study models.

• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.

• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

j. Direct Patient Care

• Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing.

• Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.

• Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris.

• Recement and fabricate temporary crowns.

• Coronal polishing of teeth.

• Place rubber dams and matrix bands.

• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

For any questions regarding this position, please contact: Alexis Bituin-Harris at the Santa Rosa VA Dental Clinic.