Lead Dental Assistant

Summary

The Lead Dental Assistant position in Dental Service at the Ernest Childers Outpatient Clinic, Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, plans and completes dental tasks per established protocols. The role works independently with dentist support as needed and informs the supervisor of issues with recommendations. Work is reviewed for adherence to Dental Service policy and requirements.

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Duties

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Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Eastern Oklahoma - Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System

Total Rewards - Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs mouth mirror inspections and gathers diagnostic information
• Charts existing restorations, conditions, and selects shades for prostheses
• Places/removes rubber dams, matrix bands, and retraction cords
• Places/removes temporary restorations and crowns/bridges; cleans tooth preparations
• Fabricates, adjusts, and cements temporary crowns
• Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces
• Assists with vitality testing, applies topical anesthetic, and manages surgical dressings/sutures
• Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia and patient vital signs during/invasive and recovery periods
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth and removes/polishes hard accretions from removable prostheses
• Sets up/cleans operatory and dental units for efficient turnover
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of dental instruments, materials, and procedures for restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care
• Assists in general and specialized dental procedures (oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implants) using four-handed techniques
• Passes instruments safely and efficiently; keeps field clear and retracts tissues effectively
• Prepares dental medicaments, impression materials, and follows infection control protocols for all procedures
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer's instructions and dental service standards
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and prosthetic fabrication
• Provides patient-specific preventative education and oral hygiene instruction; relays patient concerns to the dentist
• Demonstrates advanced imaging proficiency (cone beam, cephalometric, panoramic, TMJ): identifies dental anatomy, exposes images, captures diagnostic images using safety techniques, modifies settings as needed, and minimizes retakes
• Completes imaging within required timeframes; ensures infection control in operatory preparation, imaging, and sterilization of oral appliances/instruments according to SOPs
• Collaborates with SPS to ensure instrument availability and prevent clinical delays
• Assists in filling schedule gaps due to cancellations/no-shows
• Initiates computerized progress notes; assists dentist in charting findings/treatment plans
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA and computer security regulations
• Adapts care based on patient age and ability; provides clear instructions; participates in patient identification/time outs
• Monitors patient condition throughout treatment for signs of distress
• Completes required annual and ongoing employee education and maintains DANB certification
• Pours impressions, prepares study models, makes final denture trays, bite rims, and fabricates athletic mouth guards/bleaching trays
• Performs other dental laboratory and administrative tasks as needed

Work Schedule : Full-time, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 5:30pm

Compressed/Flexible :Available

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 # : 623-51289-A

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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

Citizenship

• Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

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
     
     
     • Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. OR,
     • 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,
     • 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 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.

Grade Determinations - In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant

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 (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 workflow 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.

3. Assignment - The 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, and recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: providing instruction to other assistants in achieving diagnostic quality radiographs; providing instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment; providing primary support to the chief for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling; coordinating patients' care plans to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment. Lead Dental Assistants generally would be found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) or Complexity Level 2 (Medium Complexity) facilities, or in facilities of lesser complexity levels where large dental services are found. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties, on an occasional basis.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit vacancy is above the full performance level.

Physical Requirements: Dental assistants in this position must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, moving between rooms and workstations, as well as sit for an hour or longer during certain procedures. The role requires physical stamina, including frequent bending, squatting, and reaching. Excellent manual dexterity is essential for handling dental instruments, preparing materials, operating equipment, taking X-rays, and assisting during procedures. Acute vision is necessary for observing patient responses, identifying fine details, assessing colors and shades, and monitoring instruments. Sufficient auditory ability is needed for effective communication with patients and the dental care team. Candidates must also be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

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:

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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