Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant Job in Evansville, IN

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

The clinical expanded-function dental assistant assists the general dentist and dental specialist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Dental assistants at this level serve as expanded-function dental assistants independently performing advanced clinical duties in assigned specialties. Higher-level assignments cover greater scope, complexity and variety and require advanced clinical skills. The incumbent also performs the full range of duties for routine patient care. Incumbents must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification.

Duties include but are not limited to:
Participate in the professional development of colleagues through mentorship and teaching
Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity
Gathers diagnostic information
Assists in performing pulp vitality testing
Charts existing restoration and conditions
Selects shades for fixed and removable prostheses
Places and removes rubber dams and matrix bands
Places and removes retraction cord
Places and removes intracoronal temporary restoration
Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris
Fabricates, adjusts and cements temporary crowns
Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
Removes sutures
Places and removes surgical dressings
Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic
Performs coronal polishing of teeth
Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses

Chairside Assisting:
Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care
Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols
Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration
Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards
Relays patient concerns to treating dentist

Dental Imaging:
Possesses comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.)
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

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
Works closely with SPS to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images

Clerical Functions & Information Management:
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
Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
Follows computer security regulations

Employee Education:
Complies with Employee Education requirements
Completes mandatory annual training sessions
Maintains DANB certification as required for above full-performance-level dental assisting positions

Dental Laboratory Functions:
Pours impressions and prepares study models
Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses
Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays
Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed and requested

The Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant informs the supervisor of problems or unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate action. Work is reviewed on an overall basis by the supervisor for conformity to Dental Service policy and requirements.

Work Schedule: Full-Time: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment evaluation.
• 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.

• 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12811239.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.