Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking Dental Assistants for the Montana VA Health Care System in Billings, MT and Fort Harrison, MT. The Dental Assistant assists dentists with direct patient care and performs clinical, chairside, imaging, infection control, laboratory, patient safety, customer service, and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Agency: Veterans Health Administration

Facility: Montana VA Health Care System

Location: Billings, MT; Fort Harrison, MT

Vacancies: 2

Salary: $32,435 - $59,031 per year

Pay Scale & Grade: GS-3 to GS-6

Promotion Potential: GS-6

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible: Available for highly qualified applicants

Appointment Type: Permanent

Telework: Not available

Remote/Virtual: Not available

Travel Required: 25% or less; travel may be expected for this position

Relocation Expenses: Not reimbursed

Recruitment Incentive: Not authorized

PCS: Not authorized

Drug Test: Required

Security Clearance: Not required

Position Sensitivity/Risk: Non-sensitive / Low Risk

Background Check: Credentialing and suitability/fitness required

Financial Disclosure: Not required

Federal Service: Excepted Service

Union Representation: Yes

Supervisory Status: No

Functional Statement: 436-53270-A, 436-53271-A, 436-53272-A, 436-53273-A

Key Responsibilities:

• Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude toward patients, coworkers, and the public.
• Provide assistance to customers with questions or concerns and support service recovery.
• Set up operatories and surgery suites for planned dental procedures.
• Clean dental units for timely turnover between procedures.
• Pass dental instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Keep the operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials according to manufacturer instructions.
• Follow standard infection control protocols during intra-operative procedures.
• Assist in routine general dental procedures.
• Assist in specialized dental procedures, including oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics.
• Capture dental images of diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed.
• Use dental imaging safety techniques and minimize retakes.
• Prepare instruments for sterilization according to Sterile Processing Service standards.
• Assist patients with scheduling appointments and filling gaps in the dentist's schedule due to cancellations or failed appointments.
• Maintain patient confidentiality under HIPAA with written and verbal information.
• Modify care based on patient age, abilities, transfer needs, and positioning needs.
• Provide accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
• Participate in patient identification and time-out procedures according to Joint Commission requirements.
• Monitor patient condition during treatment and watch for signs of physical distress.
• Obtain and record patient vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and pulse oximetry.
• Pour impressions and prepare study models.
• Make final denture impression trays and prepare bite rims.
• Remove sutures and periodontal surgical dressings.
• Take diagnostic cast impressions and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Remove temporary crowns or bridges and clean tooth preparations of debris.
• Recement and fabricate temporary crowns.
• Perform coronal polishing of teeth.
• Place rubber dams and matrix bands.
• Provide post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must have six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or familiarity with the work; or
• Must have successfully completed a one-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation; or
• Must have an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Must meet radiologic procedure credentialing standards if administering radiologic procedures.
• Must be subject to a background/security investigation.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete all application requirements and online onboarding requirements.
• Must provide acceptable identification for employment eligibility verification.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel.
• Selected applicant will be required to serve a one-year or two-year trial period.

Radiologic Certification Requirements:

• Applicants who administer radiologic procedures must meet credentialing standards under 42 CFR Part 75.
• Radiologic competence may be shown by successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board; or
• Successful completion of Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry; or

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