21 Dental Assistant Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is Hiring a Dental Assistant Near Palo Alto, CA
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Duties
Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm or as determined by supervisor
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Major duties include but are not limited to the following:Patient Care
- Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
- 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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry
- 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
- 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
- Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
- 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
- Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame
- 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
- Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
- Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images
- 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
- 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
RequirementsConditions 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 with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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.
- English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
- Experience and Education
- (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR,
- (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)].
- (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
- (1) Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence
- (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR,
- (b) Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry. OR,
- (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).
- (2) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
- 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment.
- (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
- (4) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full performance level.
- (5) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
Grade Determinations:
- GS-6
- (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience [equivalent to] the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [following] technical KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. [Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. 3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. 4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist 5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. 6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. 7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. 8. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures]
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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. 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/.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Palo Alto VA Medical Center
3801 Miranda Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
US
Job Summary
Full Time
$52k-64k (estimate)
06/19/2024
07/14/2024
ceomoph.org
Zephyrhills, FL
<25
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The job skills required for Dental Assistant include Patient Care, Oral Hygiene, Infection Control, Radiology, Clinical Care, Patient Education, etc. Having related job skills and expertise will give you an advantage when applying to be a Dental Assistant. That makes you unique and can impact how much salary you can get paid. Below are job openings related to skills required by Dental Assistant. Select any job title you are interested in and start to search job requirements.
The following is the career advancement route for Dental Assistant positions, which can be used as a reference in future career path planning. As a Dental Assistant, it can be promoted into senior positions as a Dental Hygienist that are expected to handle more key tasks, people in this role will get a higher salary paid than an ordinary Dental Assistant. You can explore the career advancement for a Dental Assistant below and select your interested title to get hiring information.
If you are interested in becoming a Dental Assistant, you need to understand the job requirements and the detailed related responsibilities. Of course, a good educational background and an applicable major will also help in job hunting. Below are some tips on how to become a Dental Assistant for your reference.
Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of an Accountant.
Quotes from people on Dental Assistant job description and responsibilities
A level one assistant helps with administrative tasks and assists the dentist by handing them tools.
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Dental assistants are responsible for providing the patient with high quality care by performing a variety of office, laboratory, and patient care duties.
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Dental assistants must be team players and effective communicators, working closely with dentists and dental hygienists, who provide direct supervision.
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Step 2: Knowing the best tips for becoming an Accountant can help you explore the needs of the position and prepare for the job-related knowledge well ahead of time.
Career tips from people on Dental Assistant jobs
Apply for dental assistant positions.
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Basic knowledge of dental medicine.
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Be Professional and Have a Strong Work Ethic.
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Being a dental assistant means helping others.
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Complete a dental assistant program.
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Step 3: View the best colleges and universities for Dental Assistant.
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