The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Dental Assistant. The Dental Assistant will function in Dental Service.
Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants at or below the full-performance level with the ability to perform routine dental-assisting duties. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members or the treating dentist for more complex patient issues and require direct daily contact with the work-site supervisor.
Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Assists customers with questions or concerns.
Patient Care Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover; Assists in routine general dental procedures using four-handed dentistry concepts, basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures; Assists with basic restorative procedures; Responds to basic medical emergencies; Uses knowledge of vital signs to measure and record vital signs; Provides pre- and post-operative and other appropriate patient education instructions; Maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; Mixes basic dental materials; Assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; Applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; 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; 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; Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction; Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed; Maintains dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards; Relays patient concerns to treating dentist; May perform other duties as required.
Dental Imaging Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy; 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; Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider; Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed; Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques; Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame; Maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards.
Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories; Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination; Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization; Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment; Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images.
Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Initiates computerized progress note; Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; 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 The 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 training sessions.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, Variable based on needs of the service and at the supervisor's discretion. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 94264O, 94254O, 94266O, 94267O
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/.
eugene.sturley@va.gov · 2163862110
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $33867 – $61638/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-11.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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