Summary

The Evansville Health Care Center, Evansville, Indiana is hiring a Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) for Dental Service. The incumbent should demonstrate mastery of a range of dental procedures and interventions and provide direct patient care within the scope of practice. The EFDA makes independent professional decisions and recommendations to the treating dentist and interdisciplinary teams. Applicant must be certified by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

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

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. IF you are a current, permanent federal employee, please apply to announcement CBSS-13088550-27-PN and submit your most recent non-award SF-50.

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:

Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity,

Gathers diagnostic information,

Performs 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.

Customer Service

Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Assists customers with questions or concerns and provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting:

Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care,

Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure,

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 using concepts of four-handed dentistry,

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.

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000

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 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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
Experience and Education
- Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides familiarity with the work. OR,
- Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. OR,
- Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field
- Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence:
  - Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc; OR,
  - 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,
  - Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).
- 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
- Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
- 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. The Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant is above the full performance level and is REQUIRED to have DANB CERTIFICATION.
- 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.

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-7 Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant: To meet the requirements for the GS-07 grade level Clinical Expanded Function Dental Assistant applicants must possess At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs

a. Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions.

b. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc).

For Reference:
GS-6: Specialized experience includes: The ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist which include but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; take preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays.

GS-6:Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience: DANB required for the GS-7

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing and walking are required as well as considerable bending and stooping. Often, the assistant must assist patients from wheelchairs and help support a patient if he is on a stretcher or gurney.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a hospital-based dental clinic, where there is routine and recurring exposure to contagious diseases such as Hepatitis A, B, C viruses, HIV and TB through aerosols and blood and body fluids. There are also potential hazards from exposure to radiation, mercury contamination and various chemical agents. Incumbent must adhere to universal precautions (gloves, masks, and eye protection, at a minimum) during treatment of every patient.

Education

Please submit your DANB certification and radiologic competence certification at time of application.

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 for 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.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certification
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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 10/22/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13088551.

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.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Patricia Nwachukwu

Phone

816-896-4934

Email

Patricia.Nwachukwu@va.gov

Address

Marion VA Medical Center
2401 West Main Street
Marion, IL 62959
US

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.

Overview

Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Evansville, IN

1 vacancy

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible

No

Remote job

No

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Salary

$55,995 - $72,795 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 7

Promotion potential

None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Not required

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

0681 Dental Assistant

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union

Yes

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required

No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

CBSS-13088551-27-PN

Control number

888470900

Dental Assistant (Clinical Expanded Function)

Dental Assistant (Clinical Expanded Function)

This job is no longer available

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