This position is located in the Dental service at the Western New York Healthcare System. Dental assistants at this level serve in a lead assistant capacity, providing dental care for patients at the VHA WNY HCS (Buffalo and Batavia). This position independently performs more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general administrative supervision from the supervisory dental assistant.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Adjusts daily work assignments (vacancy, leave, etc.) Explains work requirements, methods and procedures as needed. Approves leave in consultation with supervisory dental assistant. Ensures there is always proper dental assistant coverage in the clinic. Check's equipment in ALL individual operatories to ensure that proper maintenance is being performed and makes sure work orders for maintenance are entered. Spot checks random dental operatories every day to make sure they are well stocked and would pass any infection control inspection. Counsels' dental assistants whose operatories are not up to par and brings this to the attention of the supervisory dental assistant. Works with supervisory dental assistant to counsel assistants who are not working up to performance standards. Reports all conduct issues dealing with GS-6 dental assistants to supervisory dental assistant. Informs employees about the policies, procedures, and practices of management as they relate to the work of the assistants to related guidelines and changes. Ensures that all clinic policies are being followed without exception and reports issues to supervisory dental assistant. Aids the supervisory dental assistant in his/her function as chief infection control officer. Informs and enforces infection control guidelines. Serves on the infection control committee when supervisory dental assistant is not available and reports new findings directly to supervisory dental assistant. Is responsible for all aspects of dental waterline testing. Is responsible for proper documentation and reports any issues to supervisory dental assistant. Is responsible for maintenance of all radiation and laser equipment in the clinic with proper documentation. Attends the radiation safety committee meeting as an alternate for Chief, Dental Service. Assists supervisory dental assistant with ordering biological and non-biological dental supplies including dental consignment. Able to perform all duties of the supervisory dental assistant except #4 above if the supervisory dental assistant is on leave or sick. Aids the chief, dental service in ensuring facility is compliant will all JCAHO and VA requirements and regulations. Can walk around dental clinic and answer questions during inspections by any regulatory body. Is responsible for all Reusable Medical Equipment Competencies and ensuring all staff are up to date on their competencies. Incumbent aids all Dental Assistants in the Dental Unit which includes the following responsibilities: Chair Side Assisting Dental Imaging Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Clerical Functions Information Management Patient Safety Employee Education Dental Laboratory Functions Direct Patient Care Customer Service Performs other duties as assigned. The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Supervisory Dental Assistant but may take instruction from other dentists as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:24276-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. Experience and Education: 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)]. 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: 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). Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. 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: 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. 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; may recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: provides instruction to other assistants in achieving diagnostic quality radiographs, provides instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment, provides primary support to the chief for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling, coordinates the 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix GS-36. This full performance level of this vacancy. Physical Requirements: Work demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Note: To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

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 VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Brandy Smith
• Email: [email protected]