Summary Dental Assistants perform a full range of duties with direct and indirect supervision from a lead or supervisory Dental Assistant or an independent dental care provider (dentist, dental specialist) or hygienist. Some complex patient care procedures are performed under the direct or indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants, independent dental care providers or hygienists. As of August 6, 2025, this position is no longer a Bargaining Unit position. Responsibilities The major duties of the Dental Assistant position will include: Customer Service: showing courtesy, respect and a positive attitude to patients, co-workers and the public. Chairside Assisting: The dental assistant sets up the dental treatment area/surgical suite for planned dental/surgical treatment procedures prior and during patient care encounters. They also clean and disinfect treatment areas following patient care to facilitate timely treatment area turnover. The Dental Assistant will escort patients from the waiting area to the treatment area at the beginning of an appointment and from the treatment area to the waiting area following the appointment as needed. They are responsible for passing instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. They will keep the operative field clear of debris and retract oral soft tissues effectively to facilitate comfortable patient care for respective patients. The Dental Assistant will also be responsible for stocking, cleaning, and disinfecting the dental treatment area. They will assist the dental provider in accomplishing clinical exams, radiographic exams, and dental treatment in accordance with CDC, VHA, VISN 10, Cincinnati VAMC facility and Dental Service infection control policies. The Dental Assistant is competent in exposure of diagnostic quality standard and specialty radiographic images in traditional and/or digital formats. They will possess competency with troubleshooting of image quality problems to achieve a diagnostic quality image when a first attempt is below standard. The Dental Assistant performs dental imaging duties utilizing radiation safety techniques/practices for patient safety and worker safety. They will perform duties utilizing proper infection control technique. The Dental Assistant removes bioburden from used instruments and prepares instruments and/or instrument cassettes for transfer to Sterile Processing Service for sterilization. They will maintain instrument and equipment inventory in good repair and stocked appropriately. They will help the providers fill in open appointments created by a late cancellation, failed appointments, and scheduling errors. The Dental Assistant will chart exam findings identified by the provider(s) in DRM+. They will work with provider(s) to ensure that the duration of patient care appointments, physical accommodations during patient care, medical accommodations during patient care, and disability accommodations during patient care facilitate patient safety at all times. They will visually monitor patient status during dental procedures and alert the provider to signs of distress of any sort. They will comply with Cincinnati VA Medical Center Employee Education Requirements. The Dental Assistant will complete Dental Laboratory duties such as pouring impressions, preparing study models, and fabricating custom impression trays and bite rims. They will also perform direct patient care duties such as: removing sutures, removing periodontal dressings, removing temporary crowns/bridges, cleaning teeth of cement and operative debris, performing coronal polishing, placing rubber dams and matrix bands, and providing post-operative instructions to patients. Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for Highly Qualified candidates. Work Schedule: Compressed Tour: Monday-Thursday, 6:30am- 4:00pm, Friday 6:30am-3:00pm; every other Friday off. Compressed: Available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:GS-6, 92637-0. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 and Education. (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. (3) Experience/Education Combination. 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. 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. (1) [ ] Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, [(b)] 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, [(c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).] (2) 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 is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment. (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. [(4) 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 is 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, 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: GS-6, Dental Assistant (Full Performance Level). (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level, GS-5, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. 3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. 4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. 5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. 6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. 7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. 8. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Preferred Experience: Dental x-ray certified; CPR certification; and Chairside Dental Assisting experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to the operatory or procedure site. It is necessary to climb onto lifts to retrieve or store supplies, or to help the dentist carry out a surgical or dental procedure. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair is required to position them for radiographs or dental examination and treatment. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
