Lead Dental Assistant

Description:

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The GS-7 staff Lead Dental assistant provide guidance to the Dental Assistants assigned to Dental Outpatient Clinic. In general, the Lead Dental Assistant recognizes the needs of the Dental Service and its Staff and rapidly provides the services required.

The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is located in the Dental Service within the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in Dallas, TX.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :

• United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• 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) OR
  • (3) Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• 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 required for this position.
• 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.
• 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, 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:
    • (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).

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 :

GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant:

• Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.
• In addition to the experience , the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants.
  • Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments.
  • Ability to assist in dental program development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
  • Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor.
  • Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants.

Preferred Experience:

• 3-5 years of dental assistant experience.
• Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standard dental procedures used in dental procedures.
• Ability to monitor and perform basis 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 enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.

References: VA Handbook 5005/108 Part II Appendix G56. 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.

Physical Requirements: The work ls primarily standing, although there are periods of sitting and some slight physical efforts may be required. However, there may be some walking, bending, and carrying of light items. Use of fingers and both hands are required. Hearing (aid permitted).