Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is open only to current, permanent South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) employees.

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provides guidance and technical direction necessary to accomplish the work
• Serves as a work leader, assuring the work assignments are carried out
• Coordinates daily work assignments at the start of the shift and throughout the day as the needed
• Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustment
• Obtains assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems which arise
• Checks work in progress to see that the instructions have been met
• Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques
• Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives
• Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Assure adequate stock levels and appropriate storage of dental supplies
• Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentists' patient care time and minimize missed opportunities
• Reports to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on performance problems
• Makes recommendations to supervisor concerning promotions, reassignments, recognitions of performance and personnel needs
• Ensures dental team (assistants) maintain their work environment in a clean and operational condition
• Ensures the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each work day in compliance with infection control and security policies and dental equipment maintenance manual
• Enters and tracks work orders until completion
• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently
• Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider
• Ensures dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized
• Shares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to others
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Ensures dentist's approved clinic cancellation and opening requests are entered timely
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Ensures CP imaging consults are entered and closed in a timely manner
• Maintains accountability and upkeep for dental equipment assigned to treatment area
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress
• Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Monitors patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site
• Applies topical fluoride
• Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses
• Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction
• Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Telework: Not Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54455-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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

1. Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
3. Experience and Education - To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following:

OR, OR, OR, OR, OR,
Grandfathering Provision. All Dental Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (04/19/2011) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification 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. Dental Assistants grandfathered under this provision 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. Dental Assistants 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. Dental Assistants 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 a Dental Assistant who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:
Lead Dental Assistant, GS-07

1. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06).
2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
   1. Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants.
   2. Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments.
   3. Ability to assist in dental program development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
   4. Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor.
   5. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants.

Preferred Experience:
-3-5 years of experience in managing dental supplies
-Experience in scanning dental clinic equipment
-Experience in setting up dental kits for various procedures
-Experience in dealing with equipment and supply recalls
-Experience in coordinating daily schedules/filling in gaps in schedules
-Commitment to VHA organization goals

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: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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.