Lead Dental Assistant

Veterans Health Administration; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Tulsa, OK seeks a Lead Dental Assistant to plan and perform dental procedures under established protocols, with dentist support as needed.

The role involves independent work, supervisory input, and compliance with VA Dental Service policies; candidate must meet radiologic credentialing requirements to ensure high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Six months’ experience or completion of a CODA-accredited program.
• Credentialing in radiologic procedures per 42 CFR Part 75.
• DANB certification is desirable for higher levels.
• Basic Life Support certification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plans and completes dental tasks per established protocols.
• Works independently with dentist support as needed.
• Informs supervisor of issues with recommendations.
• Work is reviewed for adherence to Dental Service policy and requirements.

Skills

Dental assisting knowledge

Workflow coordination

Staff supervision

Program development

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Education

CODA-accredited dental assistant program

Job description

The Lead Dental Assistant position in Dental Service at the Ernest Childers Outpatient Clinic, Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, plans and completes dental tasks per established protocols. The role works independently with dentist support as needed and informs the supervisor of issues with recommendations. Work is reviewed for adherence to Dental Service policy and requirements.

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:

To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

• Citizenship
  • Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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
     • 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).
  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 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.

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

1. 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:

2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants.
• Skill in coordinating clinical workflow 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.

3. 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, and recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Assignments at this level include but are limited to: providing instruction to other assistants in achieving diagnostic quality radiographs; providing instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment; providing primary support to the chief for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling; coordinating patients' care plans to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment. Lead Dental Assistants generally would be found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) or Complexity Level 2 (Medium Complexity) facilities, or in facilities of lesser complexity levels where large dental services are found. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties, on an occasional basis.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This vacancy is above the full performance level.

Physical Requirements:

Dental assistants in this position must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, moving between rooms and workstations, as well as sit for an hour or longer during certain procedures. The role requires physical stamina, including frequent bending, squatting, and reaching. Excellent manual dexterity is essential for handling dental instruments, preparing materials, operating equipment, taking X-rays, and assisting during procedures. Acute vision is necessary for observing patient responses, identifying fine details, assessing colors and shades, and monitoring instruments. Sufficient auditory ability is needed for effective communication with patients and the dental care team. Candidates must also be able to lift up to 25 pounds.