Lead Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Virginia is seeking a Lead Dental Assistant (GS-7) to supervise and coordinate dental staff. The role requires knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice and the ability to guide staff dental assistants.

Applicants should have a CODA-accredited one-year dental assistant program and relevant experience. Certification in radiologic procedures is highly desirable, with DANB credentialing preferred.

Qualifications

• Six months experience that demonstrates ability to perform the work.
• Completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by CODA.
• May be certified as radiologic technologist per VA and DoD standards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assign work to staff dental assistants.
• Provide professional oversight and consultation for dental staff.
• Support program development and outcome management within the dental service.

Skills

Dental assisting

Clinical workflow

Staff guidance

Education

CODA-accredited dental assistant program

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, 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
  (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).
  (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
  certifications 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.
  (5) 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the
  effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements
  3 for the title, series and grade held, including certification [(for positions above the full
  performance level)] 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) Such employees 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) Employees 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) Employees 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 an employee who was retained under this provision leaves [the] occupation, the
  employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations

GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant

Experience. At least one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade (GS-6) 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.

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; may recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc.

Preferred Experience

5 years exp as Dental Assistant

DANB (Dental Assisting National Board-certification)

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 07 to 07.