The Lead Dental Assistant assists the Department Head, Division Officer, and/or immediate supervisor related to policy and performance standards development, equipment requests and workload analysis. Will analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.

Duties

a. Works with the supervisor 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; may recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis. b. Facilitates team or unit processes by working collaboratively with team members or employees 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. c. Serves in staff dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties in lead dental assistant positions. Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification. d. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. The dental assistant receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room.

Requirements

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: At least 6 months experience that demonstrates the 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. 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 the Radiology Certification: Completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR 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 completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense. 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). Grade Determinations: Must possess 1 year experience equivalent to the GS-6 level that demonstrates the following core competencies: 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; and ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. AND Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). In addition must be able to demonstrate: a. Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants. b. Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments. c. Ability to assist in dental program development, outcome management, and strategic planning. d. Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor. e. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant, dated 4/19/2011. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is of a GS-7. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to potential hazards of radiation and communicable diseases. Assistant uses lead shielding or takes other acceptable measures for protection against radiation and disease and uses personal protective equipment (e.g., surgical gowns, masks, eye wear, gloves, etc.) during clinical procedures and in accordance with service guidelines and policies.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Ralph Abueg
• Phone: 858 552 8585 X72611
• Email: [email protected]