Dental Assistant

Summary

The Michael

E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is seeking a Staff Dental Assistant to work in the Dental Service. This position will be located in Houston, TX.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience:
  
  Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work
• 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:
  • Credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 for radiologic procedures; must be certified as radiographers in their field
  • Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board – Inc., or the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses, or a radiation health and safety program approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD)
  • Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is highly desirable; required for positions above the full performance level
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
• May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision for current VHA employees who meet the criteria
• Grade Determination: GS‑6 – Staff Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level)
• Core Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Identify normal oral anatomy
  • Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care
  • Monitor and interpret vital signs
  • Provide procedure‑specific patient education and appropriate referrals
  • Capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
  • Perform maintenance on dental equipment
  • Enter and retrieve data using electronic dental records
  • Perform laboratory procedures appropriate for a dental assistant

• Respond to basic medical emergencies and provide basic medical care to patients
• Measure and record vital signs
• Provide pre‑ and post‑operative instructions
• Maintain a clean operative field, using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls
• Assist with basic restorative procedures using the principles of four‑handed dentistry
• Mix basic dental materials and prepare laboratory prescription forms
• Apply pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses
• Expose and process basic dental radiographs; mount, label, and save digital images to electronic medical records
• Evaluate radiographs for diagnostic quality and comply with imaging safety techniques; minimize retakes
• Maintain routine dental equipment per manufacturer and service standards
• Keep the operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression material per manufacturer’s instructions
• Work with Lead Dental Assistants to complete mandatory annual safety training
• Expose and process standard and specialty dental imaging (TMJ, ceph, cone‑beam) in traditional and/or digital formats, adjusting settings to meet provider specifications
• Share comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provide instruction to others
• Place contaminated instruments in bins for sterilization, verifying correct instruments are in each kit
• Ensure all dental assistants follow proper protocol; disinfect all impressions and prostheses before sending to the laboratory
• Accurately enter data into VistA, CPRS, and Dental Record Manager Plus databases
• Possess basic knowledge in all areas of dentistry including general, periodontics, prosthodontics, and endodontics
• Keep instruments and materials organized in the operatory to prevent treatment interruptions
• Pass instruments according to the technique developed for the dentist
• Remain alert to signs and symptoms of medical emergencies and provide appropriate assistance
• Recognize emergencies such as heart attack, choking, syncope,…