Summary Fee Basis Dental Assistant positions with the South Texas Veterans Health Care System Dental Service will report to one of three locations: North West Health Care Clinic, 9939 State Highway 151, San Antonio, TX 78251-1900. Data Point VA Clinic, 8410 Data Point Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3220 Kerrville VA Medical Center, 3600 Memorial Boulevard, Kerrville, TX 78028-5768 *This is an intermittent Fee Basis (per diem) appointment with a rate of $30/patient, not to exceed $62,400/year. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Serves as staff dental assistant for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Performs assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery 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 Accomplishes 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 routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards Displays a working knowledge of dental materials. Dental Imaging Demonstrates proper infection control procedures when exposing images Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Exposes standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Obtains accurate information necessary for the radiology request and closes pending imaging consults timely Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories Disinfects oral appliances, preventing cross contamination Prepares instruments for transfer for sterilization Follows all Standard Operating Procedures, i.e., Reusable Medical Equipment Works closely with Sterile Processing to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed Administrative Functions Identifies scheduling gaps in the dentist's clinics and assists MAS with filling gaps Initiates computerized progress note Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Information Management Follows HIPAA guidelines 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 Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Direct Patient Care Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site Applies topical fluoride Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Triage patient phone calls or walk-ins to determine the priority of a patient's treatment based on the severity of their condition; obtain and document enough information from the patient so dentist can prepare to treat patient accordingly Work Schedule: Intermittent Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and (optional) Saturdays 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: $30 per patient, not to exceed 2,080 patients per year ($62,400) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54137F, 54138F, 54139F, 54403F 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. 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 (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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: 1. Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States 2. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 3. Experience and Education - To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following: Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates your 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). OR, Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 4. Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in this regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. OR, 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, Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). 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. Preferred Experience: Five - seven years Dental assisting experience in various specialties Experience with electronic records/digital x-rays Familiarity with surgical procedures Experience with Veterans Customer service oriented Commitment to VHA organizational goals Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15 - 44 pounds); moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (6 hours); repeated bending (2 - 4 hours); operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; specific visual requirement (far vision: 20/30); ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); emotional and mental stability; sit for extended periods; performs independently; congnitive stability. 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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
