Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Join to apply for the Dental Assistant role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Base pay range: $53,885.00/yr – $70,048.00/yr

This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience – talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Dental Assistants at this level serve staff dental assistants at the full performance level for more routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under general supervision of more experienced dental assistants or the dental supervisor. The Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience and
  
  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 - 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.
• 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 (DoD).
• 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 justifies termination of the temporary appointment 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 required for all positions above the full performance level.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Dental Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 – section D – paragraph 5a.
• 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 in this occupation who meet the criteria).
• Grade Determinations: 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.
• 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…