Lead Dental Assistant

Summary

Serves as the primary link between patients and the clinical team and is responsible for assessing the urgency of patient needs (triage), managing the dental schedule, and ensuring smooth clinic flow at either the Northwest Dental Clinic, ALM Dental Clinics, or the Data Point Dental Clinic. This position is expected to perform at the Lead Dental Assistant level, GS-0681-07.

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Duties

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• Serves as the Primary Triage Dental Assistant for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties.
• Works with the Dental Assistant Supervisor or Dental Service Chief/Assistant Chief/Lead Dentist to maintain efficient patient care flow.
• Facilitates team and unit processes by collaborating with team members to ensure tasks are completed, positive working relationships are maintained, and team goals, needs, and achievements are effectively coordinated with management.
• Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs additional clinical and clerical functions independently. Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside, or in the operating room.
• Provides triage for patients who are referred by the facility's Triage Nurses, present in person or contact the clinic by secure messaging or message manager.
• Coordinates clinic access by filling open provider appointment slots.
• Places imaging consults for walk-in patients and ensures timely completion. Verifies dental eligibility.
• Coordinates the daily schedule with supervisors and other lead assistants.
• Submits LEAF cancellation requests when providers are absent.
• Manages urgent care clinics for dental providers.
• Collaborates with clinics to oversee Message Manager and secure messages.
• Responds to NVCC inquiries. Works with providers, dental assistants, lead assistants, and administrative staff to coordinate Veteran care. Reviews records in CPRS and DRM. Serves as backup timekeeper. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Monitors the status and progress of work and adjusts in accordance with established priorities. Obtains assistance from the supervisor for significant issues or problems that arise. Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 55700-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

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

Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States

English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Experience and Education - To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:

• Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates your 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.

Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in this regulation, and 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:
  
  
  • 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).
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• 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 : 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). AND 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:

PE 1. 3-5 years Preferred Experiences in managing dental supplies

PE 2. Experience in scanning dental clinic equipment

PE 3. Experience in setting up dental kits for various procedures

PE 4. Experience in dealing with equipment and supply recalls

PE 5. Experience in coordinating daily schedules/ filling in gaps in schedules

PE. 6. Commitment to VHA organization goals

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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.

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:

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.