Supervisory Dental Assistant is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of dental assistants. May be delegated full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the dental assisting activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. Has full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit which would require three or more dental assistants.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Supervises a team of employees performing at the GS-8 level or below. Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team. Assures compliance with VA policies and clinic policies and SOP's. Plan and assigns work and make adjustment in accordance with established priorities. Sets and adjusts short-term priorities. Approves leave for subordinates. Evaluates the performance, progress, and training needs of subordinate employees. Prepares performance appraisals and performance improvement plans when problems are identified. Issues minor disciplinary actions, such as warning and reprimands. Recommends other action in more serious cases. Interviews candidates for dental assistant positions, recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment. Recommends awards or recognitions of performance Oversees the Systems Redesign Program to identify ways to improve production or improve quality. Monitors work in progress to ensure that the staff dental assistant's clinical performance meets the dentist's instructions. Confers with dental chief or supervisory dentist if unable to resolve major issues or problems. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees for specific tasks and job techniques. Trains employees (dentist, dental residents, and dental assistants) in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consults, storing, and viewing digital images, entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment planning. Arranges for training of 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 supervisor on major issues and problems that arise. Ensures that the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are organized and maintained. Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Equipment. Trains and ensures compliance of dental staff in performing all SOPs. Works closely with Generic Inventory Package (GIP) staff to manage dental supplies to assure adequate stock levels and appropriate storage. Serves as a dental point-of contact to coordinate dental care for complex patients (e.g. organ transplant or head and neck cancer). 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. Collateral duties as assigned by the dental service chief to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm, (subject to changed based on the needs of the agency) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement: 520-00646-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 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 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 (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, (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification (for positions above the full performance level) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: 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 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 (a) 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). Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment. Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions 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. Preferred Experience: 1. Prefer at least 5 years of Dental Assistant experience. 2. Prefer 3 or more years of leadership experience which includes knowledge of and ability to manage a group of peers. 4. Radiology Certification 5. Basic Life Support Certification. Grade Determinations: GS-8 Supervisory 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 and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities a. Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants. b. Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments. c. Ability to assist the Chief in Dental Clinic operations related to policy development, equipment requests and workload analysis. d. Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships. e. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within section. f. *Ability to perform supervisory functions such as assessing competency, providing performance appraisals and managing training. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, sitting, and bending are required. Pushing dental equipment and carts are necessary to deliver items to the operatory or procedure site. It is necessary to climb onto lifts to retrieve or store supplies, or to help the dentist carry out a surgical or dental procedure. Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair is required to position them for radiographs or dental examination and treatment. Ability to perform dental assistant- appropriate laboratory procedures. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Keewanda Smith
• Phone: (228) 523-8415
• Email: [email protected]