Lead Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration seeks a Lead Dental Assistant to coordinate clinical workflow and supervise dental assistants under the supervision of the Supervisory Dental Assistant or Dental Service Chief.

Requirements include six months of relevant experience, a CODA-accredited program, and DANB or approved radiology certification. This role involves ensuring efficient patient care and acting as a liaison within the team.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience performing dental assistant work.
• CODA-accredited one-year dental assistant program required.
• DANB certification or state/DoD radiology safety certification required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assign work in the dental unit.
• Provide input on staff performance.
• Resolve daily workplace issues and maintain patient care flow.

Skills

KSAs and leadership ability

Clinical workflow coordination

Program development & planning

Staff liaison & supervision

Oversight & consultation

Education

CODA-accredited dental assistant program (1 year)

DANB certification

Dental radiology safety certification or approved equivalent

Job description

The Lead Dental Assistant works with the Supervisory Dental Assistant or Dental Service Chief to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care.

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.
• Experience and Education 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)].
• 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.
• 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 by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is required for all positions above the full performance level.

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-6) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

The following technical KSAs:

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants.
• Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments.
• Ability to assist in dental program development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
• Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor.
• Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants.

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).

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements

• Light to moderate lifting (1-44 pounds)
• Light carrying under 15 pounds
• Ability to assist transferring patients using a life, transfer belt or board
• Use of fingers, both hands
• Walking 2-3 hours
• Standing 1-3 hours
• Repeat bending 4-5 hours
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneously
• Depth perception
• Good vision (eyeglasses permitted)
• Hearing (aids permitted)
• Emotional and mental stability

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.