Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job announcement is open to all US Citizens.

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List the major duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Performs mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity and gathers diagnostic information.
• Charts existing restoration and conditions.
• Select shades for fixed and removable prostheses.
• Places and remove rubber dams and matrix bands.
• Places and removes retraction cord.
• Places and removes temporary restoration.
• Removes temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris.
• Fabricates, adjusts, and cements temporary crowns.
• Removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces.
• Assists with vitality testing.
• Places and removes surgical dressings.
• Removes sutures.
• Monitors nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesic.
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth.
• Removes hard accretions from and polishes removable prostheses.
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal care.
• Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure.
• Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry.
• 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.
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• 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.
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
• Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
• Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
• Relays patient concerns to treating dentist.
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques to provide instruction (e.g., cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.).
• Possesses ability to identify anatomy.
• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
• Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories.
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization.
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment.
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress note.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

Work Schedule: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday (4 Days total)
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51289A

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 identification 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

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

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 EducationExperience. 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
(a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;

OR,

(b) 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).]

(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.

Grade Requirements:
GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant

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

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.

This is above Full Performance Level.

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.