Dental Assistant

Job Summary

Locations: Orlando VA Medical Center (Lake Nona), Lake Baldwin VA Clinic (Orlando), Viera VA Clinic, and Daytona Beach VA Clinic; travel between sites may be required for coverage

Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (40 hours/week maximum; no overtime). Occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays may be required with advance notice.

Position Type: Contract position supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs, Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS)

Pay: 22.84/hr plus 5.09 for Health and Wellness

Position Summary

The Dental Assistant supports VA dentists in direct patient care for eligible Veterans, performing clinical and clerical functions of increasing complexity independently under general administrative supervision. The role requires competency in four-handed dentistry and assisting with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement and restoration.

Primary Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Chairside assisting: set up and turn over operatories/surgery suites; pass instruments safely and efficiently; keep the operative field clear and retract oral tissue; prepare dental medicaments and impression materials; assist in routine and specialized procedures (oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, surgical periodontics)
• Dental imaging: produce diagnostic-quality, accurately oriented and exposed images using radiation safety techniques while minimizing retakes
• Infection control and sterilization: follow infection control protocols for operatory setup/cleanup and imaging; prepare instruments for sterilization per SPD standards without delaying clinical care; maintain and document reusable medical equipment per facility policy
• Direct patient care: suture and periodontal dressing removal; diagnostic and preliminary prosthetic impressions; temporary crown/bridge removal, recementation, and fabrication; coronal polishing; rubber dam and matrix band placement; post‑operative patient education
• Patient safety: verify patient identification and participate in time‑outs per Joint Commission requirements; monitor patient condition during treatment and during/after moderate sedation (BP, pulse, EKG, pulse oximetry); adapt care to patient age and abilities
• Dental laboratory functions: pour impressions and prepare study models; make final denture impression trays and prepare bite rims
• Clerical support: schedule appointments; help fill schedule gaps from cancellations/no‑shows; assist the dentist in charting findings and treatment plans; other administrative duties as assigned by the Chief of Dental Services
• Customer service and information management: courteous, patient‑centered service; maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and VA computer security regulations

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Successful completion of a one‑year dental assistant program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• Minimum one (1) year of experience as a dental assistant
• Competency in four‑handed dentistry and assisting with specialty procedures (oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontics, prosthodontics, implants)
• Dental Radiological Certificate (required)
• Current BLS and CPR certification
• Fluency in spoken and written English

Health and Compliance Requirements

• Negative TB test (TST or IGRA) current within the past year; chest x‑ray if positive
• Proof of immunity: MMR and Varicella; proof of Tdap vaccination
• Annual influenza vaccination (or mask requirement during flu season if contraindicated)
• Hepatitis B vaccination series and blood borne pathogen training
• Completion of VA‑required training (VA privacy/information security, HIPAA, annual dental…