The Lead Dental Assistant is located in the Dental Service at the Boston VA Healthcare Systems (Jamaica Plain campus). This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

Employees at this level serve in lead dental assistant assignments. The lead dental assistant is under the general supervision of the Dental Assistant Supervisor, Administrative Officer, and Service Chief and is expected to perform administratively as they pertain to the dental assistant functions with minimal supervision. The incumbent creates work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, maintains efficient flow of patient care, recommends disciplinary actions, and provides training to staff dental assistants and/or student trainees. The incumbent facilitates team or unit processes by working collaboratively with team members or employees to ensure tasks are completed, good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained, and team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. The incumbent serves in staff dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties in lead dental assistant positions. Dental assistants must be extremely familiar with all specialty procedures including operating room dental assisting, laboratory procedures, pouring models, making trays and provisional restorations. Assignments include advance use of the computerized dental patient records system to include initiating patient consults, storing and viewing images, entry of diagnostic data, setting up for treatment planning and presentation to the patient and providing training to staff dental assistants to effectively use the computerized record system. Lead duties include, but are not limited to: Leads a team of employees performing at the GS-6 level or below and provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team. Coordinates daily dental assistant work assignments, monitors the status and progress of work, adjusts if necessary and ensures the work assignments are carried out. Steps in to assist whenever necessary to assure the patient appointments run smoothly and in a timely manner in all Dental specialties. Obtains assistance from the Dental Assistant Supervisor and/or Administrative Officer when necessary, for major issues or problems that arise. Checks work in progress to ensure that the supervisor's instructions have been met. Instructs employees and/or students in specific tasks and job techniques. Trains employees (dentist, dental residents, dental assistants) on the use of new products, equipment, safety, infection control and the computerized dental patient record systems, including generating patient consults, travel requests, storing and viewing digital images, entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment planning. Trains team members and students in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives. Listens to and evaluates ideas submitted by other staff members for possible implementation. Reconciles differing objectives and viewpoints involving dental assistants, ensuring that decorum is maintained. Organizes and maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Assists the Dental Assistant supervisor with supplies for the service. Assists the Dental Assistant supervisor in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). Ensures all RME's are up-to-date. Trains dental staff in all SOPs and reports noncompliance to supervisor. Assists the Dental Assistant Supervisor in evaluating dental assistants for all RME annual competencies. Monitors function of dental equipment and requests repair or replacement. Prepares electronic work orders and monitors completion. Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentists' clinical time and minimize missed opportunities. Reports to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees. Makes recommendations to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, recognitions of performance and personnel needs. Ensures proper infection control protocols are followed in maintaining a clean and operational dental clinic. Ensures the operatories are set up and broken down each workday to maintain security, and delegates these duties as necessary. Tracks all Implants for the OS department. Orders needed supplies for OS department. Tracks attendance for the OS residents in the EAR Systems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Lead Dental Assistant, GS-0681-07, #523-F06548 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

1. COVERAGE. Following are requirements for appointment as a Dental Assistant in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA dental assistants in the General Schedule (GS)-681 series. 2. BASIC REQUIREMENTS a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. b. Experience and Education (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR, (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. c. 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. (1) 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). (2) 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. (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. DANB certification is required for all positions above the full performance level (GS-7 and above). (5) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a 3. GRADE REQUIREMENTS a. Definitions (1) Creditable Experience (a) Knowledge of Current Professional Dental Assistant Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics (also referred to as "core competencies") associated with current professional dental assisting practice. Evidence of such experience includes graduation from a certified dental assisting training program, experience in private practice, VHA, Department of Defense (DoD), or other federal, state, community or charitable health care agency. (b) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable after the training program certifies that the individual has completed all required courses, an internship if it is part of the program, and graduated with passing grades. (c) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a dental assistant is credited according to its relationship to full-time workweek. For example, a dental assistant would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. (2) Expanded Function Level. Expanded function level is defined as possessing the training and ability to provide independent and expert dental procedures as well as providing clinical assistance to the treating dentists in more complex procedural cases. The expanded function dental assistant has an increased depth and breadth of dental practice skills, and has mastered a range of dental procedures and interventions and provides direct patient care within the scope of practice. Examples of procedures may be diagnostic, restorative and/or surgical in nature. The expanded function dental assistant will make independent professional decisions and recommendations to the treating dentist and interdisciplinary care teams. The expanded functional dental assistant has the expertise to participate in the professional development of colleagues through mentorship and teaching. b. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant 1. 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: 2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. 3. 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. Preferred Experience: At least five (5) years of professional experience in dental assisting at the VA. Physical Requirements: The work requires physical dexterity and strength to operate dental equipment, and to lift and move patients into correct position. The work requires long periods of standing, walking, leaning and bending. Positioning patients who are disabled requires considerable effort in working in awkward positions. Heavy lifting of disabled patients is done only with the help of other employees. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36 dated APRIL 19, 2011

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 Boston Healthcare System 940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 US
• Name: Jonathan Montgomery
• Phone: 734-905-2529
• Email: [email protected]