Dental Assistant

This Dental Assistant position is located within the VA Black Hills Health Care System and supports operations at both the Fort Meade South Dakota location. The incumbent assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers and the public; 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; Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics; Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed; Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized; Complies with Reusable Medical Equipment requirements; Assists patients in scheduling appointments and filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records; Performs as time-keeper, dental supply clerk and local administrative assistant; Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; Monitors patient condition and vital signs during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress; Pours impressions and prepares study models; Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims; Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing; Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication; Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris; Recement and fabricate temporary crowns; Coronal polishing of teeth; Place rubber dams and matrix bands; Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/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.