Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

The North Florida / South Georgia VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a Dental Assistant. Dental Assistant serves at the full performance level, with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialists, with indirect supervision from the Lead Dental Assistant or treating Dentist. Examples of procedures may be diagnostic, restorative and / or surgical in nature.

Major duties but are not limited to :

• Chairside Assisting Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care and procedures.
• Sets up operatory suite 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.
• Accomplished all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental standards.
• Restores teeth prepared by dentist with permanent and temporary fillings : places bases and liners; selects, adapts and places matrices to normal and abnormal teeth; places, condenses, carves, finishes and polishes amalgam restorations, including those involving grossly decayed teeth requiring cusp replacement and retentive pins; places, compresses and finishes synthetic restorations including multi-surfaced anterior restorations; places and contours temporary restorations.
• Supports dentist in endodontic treatments by applying rubber dam, removing temporary filling using low speed handpiece, and cleansing and drying operative field.
• After dentist treats patient, assistant irrigates tooth, applies prescribed medications and closes tooth with temporary filling.
• Takes preliminary impressions for study models, modifying impression tray as needed.
• Pours and trims models. Constructs custom impression trays. Retracts gingiva from tooth for final impressions by placing and removing retraction cord.
• Selects, adapts and seats stainless steel crowns; constructs and cements temporary acrylic crowns and bridges.
• Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings and removing sutures.
• Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition as related to dental health, the common causes of tooth decay, and the care of prosthodontic appliances.
• Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified areas of the oral cavity.
• Provides chair side assistance, fully anticipating dentist's needs for various instruments, materials and services.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Proficient, and demonstrates competency and the ability to set up and / or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) for all equipment, as required by sterilization guidance. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP} for RME. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed.

Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the provider's schedule due to late cancellations or failed appointments by working with the clinic scheduler / Medical Support Assistant, Administrative Officer, and / or facility GPM.

Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPM with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.

Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.

Work Schedule : 7 : 00am-3 : 30pm Monday to Friday

Telework : Not Available

Functional Statement # : 50255F

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 trial period.

Subject to background / security investigation.

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

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider : your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications 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.

Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.

OR, 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 2 education are qualifying.

Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they 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.

English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

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 who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations :

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates :

GS-3 : Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 : Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

GS-5 : Experience or Education In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

GS-6 Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education Note : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.