Dental Assistant

<p>The Dental Assistant position with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is located in Houston, TX. The Dental Assistant responsibilities include but are not limited to responding to basic medical emergencies; recording vital signs; providing pre- and post-operative instructions; maintaining a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; and using the concepts of fourhanded dentistry.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional If you are NOT a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-12995471-26-KGM. The duties of the Dental Assistant in Dental Service include, but are not limited to: Responds to basic medical emergencies. Measures and records vital signs. Provides pre-and post-operative instructions. Maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls. Using the concepts of fourhanded dentistry, assists with basic restorative procedures. Mixes basic dental materials. Assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms. Applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses. Exposes and processes basic dental radiographs. Mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records. Evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality. Maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepares dental medicaments and impression material per manufacturer's instructions. Works closely with the Lead Dental Assistants to comply with Employee Education requirements and complete all mandatory annual safety training sessions. Exposes both 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. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Shares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to others. Places contaminated instruments in bins for sterilization by SPS verifying the correct instruments are in each kit. In addition, must ensure all dental assistants are following proper protocol. Must disinfect all impressions and prostheses before taking them to the dental laboratory. Make accurate entries into the VistA or CPRS data base and Dental Record Manager Plus. Possess basic knowledge in all areas of dentistry including but not limited to, General Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontic, Endodontics, and other areas if called upon to perform these tasks in emergency situations. Places appropriate instruments and materials in the operatory for the identified procedure so there is no break in the treatment to retrieve something that was not available. Passes instruments according to the technique developed for dentist. In addition, keeps field clear for operation, free of debris, water and/or blood. Recognize the signs and symptoms of a medical emergency and to provide the dentist with appropriate armamentaria at his/her requestor their own initiative. The recognizable dental emergencies or urgencies would include but not be limited to heart attack, choking on foreign bodies, syncope, vomiting or urination. Work Schedule: (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility): Monday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday: OFF; Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Thursday 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Sunday: OFF. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #s: 580-02279-F, 580-02280-F, 580-02281-F, 580-02282-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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.<h3>Education</h3>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/. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.