Lead Dental Assistant

Summary

Employee serves as Lead Dental Assistant, above the full performance level for routine and specialty dental care, working independently for complex procedures in specialty dentistry under general supervision. He/she has extensive knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures in the specialty areas of oral surgery, endodontics, and implant dentistry. Incumbent has general knowledge of oral anatomical structures and understands surgical and dental procedures.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Lead Dental Assistants have an advanced knowledge of OSHA standards and Environment of Care issues in the dental clinic and laboratory and must be DNB certified. Specialized duties are performed 25% of the time.

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.
• Aids customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medical instruments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions.
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols Assists in routine general dental procedures
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and dental implants.
• Prepares for and assists in dental operatory Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments in compliance with scheduling processes and procedures
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Assists dentist in managing lab case pans
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follows computer security regulations
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per JC requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
• Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
• Remove sutures
• Impress ions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris
• Recement and fabricate temporary crowns
• Coronal polishing of teeth
• Place rubber dams and matrix bands
• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education
• Pours impression, and constructs impression trays when needed.
• Works with supervisor or Chief Dental Service to monitor/make work assignments
• Provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, 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
• Instructs other assistants in diagnostic quality radiographs, provides instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment, provides primary support to the supervisor for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling, coordinates the patients' care plans to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM. Some work on nights/weekends/holidays as needed.

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

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 #: Lead Dental Assistant

This is a bargaining unit position.

Requirements

Help

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:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
• 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)].
• 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.

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).

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.

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).

Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrated Leadership in Clinical Operations.
• Experience Training, Coaching, or Mentoring Dental Assistants.
• Proven Experience Supporting Program Development or Quality Improvement.
• Effective Communication & Collaboration Across Dental and Administrative Teams.
• Experience Providing Oversight in a High-Volume or Multi-Location Dental Setting.

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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

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.

Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository, VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0681, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard, dated 4/19/2011.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

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

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts are not a required document, however, failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified.

Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)] Find a Program | Commission on Dental Accreditation (ada.org).

NOTE: If your school was accredited by CODA and can no longer be found on the accrediting body websites above, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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

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:

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.

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.

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.