SummaryThe Lead Dental Assistant works with the supervisor or Chief Dental Service to monitor and make work assignments - provide input on performance - resolve daily workplace issues - and maintain efficient flow of patient care; may approve brief periods of leave - provide training to staff dental assistants - students and/or trainees; may recommend special advancements and promotions - disciplinary actions - etc.
QualificationsApplicants 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 (1) Experience
* Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work - or provides familiarity with the work
* OR - (2) Education
* Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]
* (3) 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
* (1) [ ] Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - Inc.
* OR - [(b)] 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 - [(c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).] (2) 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
* (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable
* [(4) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
* The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants
* DANB certifi- cation 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.] 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: 1
* Experience
* At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
* In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 2
* Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities a
* Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice - and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants
* b
* Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments
* c
* Ability to assist in dental program development - outcome management - and strategic planning
* d
* Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor
* e
* Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants
* Preferred Experience: CDA certified and 5 years of dental assistant experience
* 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-07
* The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07
* Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties
- Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Lead: Coordinates clinical workflow/assignments and provides guidance using advanced knowledge of dental-assisting principles across multiple areas of practice
- Assists in dental-program development - outcome management - and strategic planning
- Acts as liaison between dental-assisting staff and supervisor
- Maintains professional oversight and serves as consultant to staff dental assistants
- Provides guidance to other assistants in achieving quality radiographs
- Instructs in maintenance of all dental service equipment
- programs - reporting - staffing and scheduling
- Coordinates patients' care plans to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment
- Other Higher-Level/Clinical: 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
- Chairside Assisting: Sets up operatory - bedside and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
- 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
- Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
- Passes instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
- Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
- Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
- 10 hour shift (no weekends) Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
- When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
- 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
- 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
