- Position Title
- Dental Assistant
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- OCA-FY25-0681-Dental Asst3 Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, April 10, 2025 to Monday, November 3, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in employment with the Washington DC VA Medical Center: Select the appropriate answer to the following question based on your current level of experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and/or education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
INSTRUCTIONS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Requirements as well as any additional grade-level qualification requirements. Please select the appropriate response as it pertains to your qualifications for the following questions.
Grandfathering Provision.
All Dental Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (04/19/2011) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
Grandfathering Provision.
All Dental Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (04/19/2011) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
1. Dental Assistants grandfathered under this provision may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
2. Dental Assistants who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
3. Dental Assistants initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
4. If a Dental Assistant who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
INSTRUCTIONS: Basic Requirements:
To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:
To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
English Language Proficiency:
Are you proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)?
Are you proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)?
CERTIFICATION REMINDER: Ensure you follow the announcement instructions for identifying or including a current copy of your certification in your application package.
2.
Basic Requirement - Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence:
Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in this regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field.
To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:
Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in this regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field.
To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:
3.
Basic Requirement - NARRATIVE:
Please provide your certification information. If you are not certified and do not expect to become certified indicate N/A.
Name of Institution:
Name on Certificate:
I.D. Number:
Date Certificate Awarded:
Date of Expiration:
Please provide your certification information. If you are not certified and do not expect to become certified indicate N/A.
Name of Institution:
Name on Certificate:
I.D. Number:
Date Certificate Awarded:
Date of Expiration:
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
4.
Basic Certifications:
Do you possess certification in basic life support methods?
Note: This is not a requirement, but it is highly desirable for the position.
Do you possess certification in basic life support methods?
Note: This is not a requirement, but it is highly desirable for the position.
5.
Basic Certifications - NARRATIVE:
Please provide your certification information. If you are not certified and do not expect to become certified indicate N/A.
Name on certificate:
Certification Type:
Certifying Organization Name:
Complete certificate number:
Expiration date:
Please provide your certification information. If you are not certified and do not expect to become certified indicate N/A.
Name on certificate:
Certification Type:
Certifying Organization Name:
Complete certificate number:
Expiration date:
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
6.
Basic Certifications:
Do you possess certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)?
Note: This is not a requirement for this grade level, but it is highly desirable for the position.
Do you possess certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)?
Note: This is not a requirement for this grade level, but it is highly desirable for the position.
7.
Basic Certifications - NARRATIVE:
Please provide your certification information. If you are not certified and do not expect to become certified indicate N/A.
Name on certificate:
Certification Type:
Certifying Organization Name:
Complete certificate number:
Expiration date:
Please provide your certification information. If you are not certified and do not expect to become certified indicate N/A.
Name on certificate:
Certification Type:
Certifying Organization Name:
Complete certificate number:
Expiration date:
8.
Basic Experience and Education Requirement:
To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:
To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:
9.
Basic Experience and Education Requirement - NARRATIVE:
Please provide the following information regarding your one (1) year dental assistant program you successfully completed from which you meet the basic requirement above. If you did not attend a dental assistant program, please indicate N/A.
Name of Institution:
City and State:
Major/Program title:
Month and Year conferred:
Please provide the following information regarding your one (1) year dental assistant program you successfully completed from which you meet the basic requirement above. If you did not attend a dental assistant program, please indicate N/A.
Name of Institution:
City and State:
Major/Program title:
Month and Year conferred:
INSTRUCTIONS: Grade Level Requirements - Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your background and experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
10.
GS-03 Dental Assistant
Do you possess all basic qualifications requirements for this position?
Do you possess all basic qualifications requirements for this position?
11.
GS-04 Dental Assistant
Experience/Education Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-04 you must possess one of the following:
Experience/Education Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-04 you must possess one of the following:
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
12.
GS-04 Dental Assistant
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to meeting the experience/education requirements at the GS-04 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities?
- Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.
- Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies.
- Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval.
- Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.
- Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to meeting the experience/education requirements at the GS-04 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities?
- Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling.
- Basic knowledge of dental procedures and medical emergencies.
- Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval.
- Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment.
- Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements.
13.
GS-05 Dental Assistant
Experience/Education Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-04 you must possess one of the following:
Experience/Education Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-04 you must possess one of the following:
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
14.
GS-05 Dental Assistant
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to meeting the experience/education requirements at the GS-05 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities?
- Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.
- Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.
- Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.
- Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA.
- Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to meeting the experience/education requirements at the GS-05 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities?
- Knowledge of anatomy and ability to evaluate diagnostic quality.
- Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement.
- Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures.
- Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA.
- Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol.
15.
GS-06 Dental Assistant
Experience Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06, do you possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05)?
Experience Requirement:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06, do you possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05)?
16.
GS-06 Dental Assistant
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to meeting the experience requirements at the GS-06 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities?
- Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
- Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
- Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
- Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
- Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
- Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
- Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
- Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In addition to meeting the experience requirements at the GS-06 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities?
- Ability to identify normal oral anatomy.
- Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures.
- Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs.
- Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
- Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.
- Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry.
- Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
- Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures