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Lead Dental Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This Lead Dental Assistant position is located at Bay Pines Dental Clinic in Bay Pines, FL. The Lead Dental Assistant is an integral member of the dental team and facilitates team processes by working collaboratively with team members to ensure that tasks are completed, that good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained, and that team priorities and goals, needs and achievements are coordinated with management.




Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
07/05/2024 to 07/19/2024
Salary
$49,025 to - $63,733 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bay Pines, FL
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTC-12467627-24-JLC
Control number
798594500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is opened to US Citizens. Current, permanent federal employees may apply to the internal vacancy announcement # CBTC-12467630-24-JLC. There is NO need to apply to both announcements.

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Duties

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The Lead Dental Assistant works with the Dental Service Chief and Supervisory Dental Assistant to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care. The Lead Dental Assistant assists the dental team in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical, dental laboratory, administrative/clerical and program management functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties and responsibilities of the Lead Dental Assistant include, but are not limited to:

Lead Duties

  • Leads a team of dental employees and Fee Basis dental providers. Provides the guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team. Takes responsibility for the dental team's performance on National dental performance measures/monitors and indicators.
  • Serves as a work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out. Coordinates daily work assignments at the start of the shift and throughout the day as the need arises.
  • Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Obtains assistance from the Dental Chief or Supervisory Dental Assistant as needed for major issues or problems which arise.
  • Provides expert advice on specific tasks, procedures and policies.
  • Identifies training needs and instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques. Trains employees and fee basis providers in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consults, storing and viewing digital images, entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment plans.
  • Trains (or makes arrangements for training) team members, students and volunteers in the accomplishment of tasks or projects.
  • Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives.
  • Makes written instructions, reference materials, and relevant background material available. Obtains needed information on decisions from the Dental Chief or Supervisory Dental Assistant on major issues and problems that arise.
  • Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). Trains dental team in SOPs and reports noncompliance to Dental Chief or Supervisory Dental Assistant.
  • Works closely with and serves as the liaison with Sterile Processing Service (SPS) to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed.
Clinical Duties
  • Proficiently provides procedures commonly recognized by the dental profession for safe performance by a dental assistant: fourhanded chair-side dental assisting, dental lab procedures, and performing other such procedures as may be delegated by the dentist consistent with the Florida State Dental Practice Act.
  • Complies with all Patient Safety processes: Infection control, patient identification, time-out, iMed (informed) consent, medication reconciliation, and hand-off communication.
  • Follows standard operating procedures for all reusable medical devices
    (RMD), instruments, materials, and personal protective equipment (PPE) in use in the dental clinical areas.
  • Keeps patients informed of clinic delays by directly communicating with patients when treatment will not commence within 10-minutes of the patient's scheduled appointment time.
  • Prepares the operatory with all needed equipment, materials and supplies for planned dental procedure(s) prior to seating the patient and cleans operatory after the patient is dismissed for timely turnover.
  • Performs and records patient's blood pressure, pulse, and medical history; recognizes patient signs of physical distress and monitors patients' condition during treatment.
  • Captures and saves diagnostic quality digital radiographs of the mouth, gums, jaws, and/or teeth, both intraoral and extraoral, within the desired time frame.
  • Anticipates the dentist's need at each stage of the treatment procedure, including specialty procedures (in oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement and retention), and makes instrumentation and/or materials readily available, whether in the dental clinic, operating room, or the patient's bedside.
  • Keeps the operative field clear of debris and improves access by effectively and comfortably retracting the tongue and/or oral tissues.
  • Prepares and mixes dental materials per manufacturer's instructions.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

Education and Experience:

  • 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).
OR,
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
Dental Radiographer Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, you 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 your 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).
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification: The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification it is required for all positions above the full performance level. This position is above the full performance level.

English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations:

Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06) that demonstrates the core competencies described is required. At the GS-06 grade level employees have the ability to perform a full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays.

Additionally, the knowledge, skills and abilities at the GS-06 grade level are:
  • 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.
  • Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the above experience, the candidate must demonstrate the following GS-07 grade level technical 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 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-681, Dated April 19, 2011.

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

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, good distant vision in one eye, ability to hear whisper voice. There is moderate walking (3-4 hrs.) and some extended periods of standing (3-4 hrs.).

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/.

Additional information

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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