Dental Assistant

About the role

This is an Open Continuous Announcement until September 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

This position is within the Dental Service located at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, NY. The Dental Assistant supports the dentist across many aspects of direct patient care, performing a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures

What you will do

• This position is within the Dental Service located at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, NY.
• The Dental Assistant supports the dentist across many aspects of direct patient care, performing a wide range of intra-oral dental procedures.
• This role also provides support to the dental laboratory as needed and independently performs additional clinical and clerical functions without direct supervision.
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties assigned but not limited to: Set up/break down operatory and provide four-handed assistance across restorative, prosthetic, periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery, and implant procedures.
• Pass instruments/materials efficiently and maintain a clear operative field (suction, retraction).
• Prepare medicaments and impression materials; take preliminary impressions, adjusting trays as needed.
• Fabricate/place temporary crowns and bridges and adapt/seat stainless steel crowns, applying knowledge of common dental disorders.
• Triage dental and medical emergencies, routing patients to appropriate staff and initiating emergency codes as needed.
• Operate intra-/extra-oral X-ray equipment, positioning patients and adjusting settings to produce diagnostic-quality images per provider request.
• Apply radiation safety protocols to minimize retakes and complete imaging requests within required turnaround time.
• Accurately document images in patient record.
• Disinfect operatories/oral appliances and debride/decontaminate instruments between patients.
• Prepare instruments for SPS sterilization per RME SOPs without delaying care.
• Apply infection control procedures during imaging and lab case transport, and adhere to infectious disease policies.
• Schedule/reschedule appointments, manage phone calls, and fill schedule gaps from cancellations/no-shows.
• Initiate progress notes and record medical/dental history; assist dentist with charting findings and treatment plans.
• Monitor supply inventory and communicate needs to logistics.
• Greet and interact with patients and staff courteously, responding to questions/concerns and performing service recovery when issues arise.
• Obtain vital signs and take diagnostic/prosthetic-fabrication impressions.
• Remove/recement/fabricate temporary crowns and bridges, cleaning prep sites and applying prescribed agents (desensitizers, fluorides, tissue conditioners).
• Clean removable prostheses, remove sutures, and apply rubber dam for endodontic procedures.
• Provide oral hygiene instruction and post-op patient education.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for employees who are new to the Federal Government or who have had a break in service of 90 days or more, on either a full-time or part-time appointment.
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be authorized for current Federal employees relocating to a different geographic area, while serving under a full-time appointment only.
• Geographic relocation requires a worksite 50 or more miles from the location of the position held immediately before the move.
• 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).
• 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 #: 21M34A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.
• 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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

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. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 21, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates occurring weekly. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur, on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled.

Applicants will remain active for 12 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJOBS account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility. All other VA employees. All other applicants.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) 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 License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

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.

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.