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

Major Duties and Responsibilities: Assists the Dental Service Chief in clinic operations related to policy and performance standards development, and workload analysis. Will analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. Reports directly to the Supervisory Hygienist. Coordinates clinical workflow and makes work assignments, hears and resolves employee complaints and workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care. Develops and provides training to staff dental assistants, students and/or trainees. Performs supervisory functions such as assessing competency, providing performance appraisals and managing training. Approves periods of leave; recommends special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis. Establishes and maintains effective and cooperative work relationships within the dental service and the facility. Tasks are completed and good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained. Team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room. Supervisory duties: Duties listed in this section comprise at least 25% of the supervisory dental assistant's time. 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. Plan and assigns work, makes adjustments 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. 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 Hygienist if unable to resolve major issues or problems. 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. Ensures that the dental station and treatment area are maintained in a clean and operational condition. Assures that the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each work day to maintain security of the clinic area and dental equipment. Delegates these duties as necessary. Monitors function of dental equipment and requests repair or replacement. Prepares electronic work orders and monitors completion. Collateral duties as assigned by the Dental Service Chief or Supervisory Hygienist to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:45 am - 4:15 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93225-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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)]. OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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 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.***DANB CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION*** 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-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 Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants. Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments. Ability to assist the Chief in Dental Clinic operations related to policy development, equipment requests and workload analysis. Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within section. *Ability to perform supervisory functions such as assessing competency, providing performance appraisals and managing training. Assignment. The supervisory dental assistant is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of dental assistants. The incumbent 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. They have full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit which would require three or more dental assistants. Typical duties include: making work assignments, monitoring of staff dental assistant clinical performance, conducting Preferred Experience: At least one year as a GS-7 Dental Assistant References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36. Physical Requirements: Extended periods of bending, twisting, sitting, and standing. Extensive use of hands and wrists. Light lifting.

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Jessica Kidd
• Phone: 734-596-3177
• Email: [email protected]