Lead Dental Assistant

Description:

The Lead Dental Assistant will be an instrumental part of the the STVHCS Dental Service. The position could rotate in the following locations Data Point Dental Clinic, Randolph Air Base Dental Clinic, or Audie L Murphy VA Hospital. The incumbent will work with the Dental Assistant Supervisor or Dental Service Chief to monitor and make work assignments provide input on performance, facilitate dental service's processes and assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :
To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

1. Citizenship - You must 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.
2. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
3. Experience and Education - To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:

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. 4. 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. a. Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: i. Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. OR, ii. 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, iii. Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). OR, iv. 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. (This is applicable for grade levels 3/4/5/6 of this series) b. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. c. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). 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.
Grandfathering Provision. All Dental Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (04/19/2011) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. Dental Assistants grandfathered under this provision may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
2. Dental Assistants who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
3. Dental Assistants initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
4. If a Dental Assistant who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations :
Lead Dental Assistant, GS-07

1. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06).
2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
   1. Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants.
   2. Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments.
   3. Ability to assist in dental program development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
   4. Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor.
   5. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants.

Preferred Experience:
-3-5 years of experience in managing dental supplies
-Experience in scanning dental clinic equipment
-Experience in setting up dental kits for various procedures
-Experience in dealing with equipment and supply recalls
-Experience in coordinating daily schedules/filling in gaps in schedules
-Commitment to VHA organization goals

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.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.