Job Details

Dental Assistant Position

Summary The dental assistant position is based at the Greenville, SC outpatient clinic where the incumbent is expected to plan and complete tasks based on established protocols/accepted dental practices. The employee will be required to display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals.

Total Rewards Of A Allied Health Professional

Major Duties:

• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, 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.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Pours impressions and prepares study models.
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
• Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
• Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction.
• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed.
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
• Relays patient concerns to treating dentist.
• Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
• Follows computer security regulations.
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 7:00am-3:30pm

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)

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 #: 544-59268F; 544-59267F; 544-59266F; 544-59277F

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.

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.

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).

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:

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 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 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.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services

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.

Additional Information