The incumbent will receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor on site. Dental assistants will assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.
Duties include but are not limited to the following: Patient Care: Shows courtesy, respect and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit. Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.
Assists in routine general dental procedures; passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment/recovery.
Pours and takes impressions for diagnostic casts and prosthetic fabrication; prepares study molds. Makes final denture impression trays and bite rims. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides procedure-specific, patient preventative education, post-operative and oral hygiene instruction. Assists in specialized dental procedures; oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Dental Imaging: Possesses the ability to identify normal anatomy. Exposed both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital format. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed.
Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized. Clerical Functions: Assists with filling gaps in doctors schedule due to late cancellation or failed appointments. Assists in charting findings, treatment plans, and treatment in patient records. Initiates computerized treatment and progress notes. Return to clinic orders; completes clinical reminders. Prepares cases for dental laboratory and ensures timely retrieval of completed cases.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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/.
amber.penry@va.gov · 217-554-5961
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $37206 – $67715/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-13.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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