Lead Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

North Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 62,000 - 80,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, IL seeks a Lead Dental Assistant to guide the dental team, coordinate scheduling with the dentist, and supervise daily operations to optimize patient care time. The role involves chairside assistance, operatory setup, and maintaining infection control standards.

The position emphasizes leadership, staff development, and adherence to department policies. Salary is posted, and telework is not available; standard clinic hours apply.

Qualifications

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
If you are using foreign education, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript.

Responsibilities

Lead the dental assistant team by providing guidance and technical direction.
Serve as a work leader, assign and monitor the unit's tasks and progress.
Instruct staff in procedures, policies, and directives and answer questions.
Assist dentists, prepare operatory and instruments, and ensure efficient patient care time.

Education

Transcript required for education-based qualifications

Certificate of Foreign Equivalency for foreign education

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

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.

Key Responsibilities

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 & 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $61810 – $80354/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-13.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.