Lead Dental Assistant

Summary

The Lead Dental Assistant assists the Department Head, Division Officer, and/or immediate supervisor related to policy and performance standards development, equipment requests and workload analysis. Will analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.

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Duties

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Lead Duties:

• Lead the dental assistant team by providing guidance and technical direction.
• Serve as a work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out.
• Monitor the status and progress of work making adjustments as needed.
• Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques.
• Maintain current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives.
• Provide expert advice on specific tasks, procedures, and policies.
• Serve as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentists' patient care time.
• Obtain needed information on decisions from the supervisor on major issues and problems that arise.
• Report to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on performance problems.
• Maintain the dental station and treatment area in a clean and operational condition.

Customer Service:

• Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.
• Provide assistance to customers with questions or concerns.

Chairside Assisting:

• Set up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and clean dental unit.
• Pass instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Keep operative field clear of debris and retract oral tissues effectively and comfortably.
• Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials.
• Assist in routine general and specialized dental procedures.

Dental Imaging, Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:

• Insure instruments are properly prepared for sterilization and maintain inventory control on all RME.

Clerical Functions:

• Assist patients in scheduling appointments.
• Assist in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule.
• Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

Information Management:

• Maintain patient confidentiality and follow computer security regulations.

Patient Safety:

• Provide accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
• Participate in patient identification and time out.
• Monitor patient condition and vitals during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Employee Education:

• Comply with Employee Education requirements and TMS accountability.

Dental Laboratory Functions:

• Pour impressions and prepare study models and other dental laboratory functions.

Work Schedule : Monday- Friday 07:00am-3:30pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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 :

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Experience: At least 6 months experience that demonstrates the 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.
• Radiographer Certification: Completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR 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 completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following are the qualifications criteria at the GS7 grade level.

Grade Determinations : Must possess 1 year experience equivalent to the GS-6 level that demonstrates the following core competencies: ability to identify normal oral anatomy; advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures; ability to monitor and perform basic 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 perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry; ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records; and ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. AND Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). In addition must be able to demonstrate:

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant, dated 4/19/2011.

Physical Demands: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required.

Work Environment: Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases. Assistant uses lead shielding or takes other acceptable measures for protection against radiation and disease and uses personal protective equipment (e.g., surgical gowns, masks, eye wear, gloves, etc.) during clinical procedures and in accordance with service guidelines and policies.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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:

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.