Job Description

Dental Laboratory Technician

This position is located in the Dental Service at the VA Louisville Health Care System - Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, KY. The Dental Laboratory Technician applies an in-depth knowledge of a full range of dental laboratory services and exhibits the seasoned judgment normally expected by this technical specialist. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: designing and fabricating complex fixed, semi-fixed, and removable dental and intraoral maxillofacial prostheses, including implant-supported restorations, partial and complete dentures, and surgical or orthodontic appliances. The technician applies expert knowledge of oral anatomy, occlusion, and masticatory forces to achieve optimal fit, function, and esthetics. They collaborate with dental and medical staff to plan, design, and troubleshoot fabrication of complex prosthetic and maxillofacial cases. Utilizing both traditional and computer-assisted (CAD/CAM) fabrication methods, the technician produces precise and durable prostheses. They wax, invest, cure, polish, and finish appliances to replicate natural oral contours and maintain anatomical accuracy. The technician forms, solders, and finishes metal frameworks, bends and tempers wrought wire components, and ensures structural integrity of partial dentures and appliances. They construct specialized devices such as obturators, bite raisers, fracture splints, surgical templates, and esthetic gingival replacements to restore oral function and patient confidence. Maintaining close attention to design and construction details throughout all fabrication stages, the technician ensures comfort, balance, and mechanical harmony. They consult with dentists and specialists to design, plan, and resolve challenges in complex prosthetic and maxillofacial cases. Advising on material selection, fabrication methods, and treatment modifications, the technician ensures high-quality, functional, and esthetic outcomes. Training and mentoring dental and support staff while fabricating demonstration models for clinical education and patient instruction, the technician manages laboratory inventory, coordinates case work with internal and external laboratories, and ensures compliance with safety and infection control standards. They maintain and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment while ensuring a safe and compliant work environment. Researching and evaluating new materials, tools, and techniques to improve laboratory efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes, the technician coordinates outgoing dental cases, supports clinic operations, and represents the laboratory in committees and quality improvement activities.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 08:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.

Requirements Conditions of Employment: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications: Minimum Requirement: The following are minimum requirements for appointment as a Dental Laboratory Technician in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which all applicants must meet. Specialized Experience (GS-09): You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (i.e., GS-08). Qualifying examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials, plasters, stones, hydrocolloids, waxes, metals, acrylics, porcelain, and similar materials; use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools, dental lathes, engines, and hand pieces, furnaces, casting machines, presses, flasks, and related equipment; use of precision instruments such as articulators, surveyors, and microanalyzers; and construction of dental prosthetic appliances. (CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.) OR, Education (GS-09): Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two (2) full years of graduate education or a master's degree in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Such graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Licensed professional dentists will be considered qualified for any grade level if they have, in the aggregate, the required experience in dental laboratory procedures. NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) OR, Combination (GS-09): Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education (beyond the first year, i.e., 18 semester hours) as described above. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)

You will be rated on the following competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Analytical Thinking Applies Technology to Tasks Medicine and Dentistry Quality Assurance Technical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: Work requires some bending, stooping, lifting of supplies and periods of standing and sitting. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at 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: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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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