The Lead Dental Assistant facilitates team or unit processes by working collaboratively with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed, good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained, and that team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management.

Duties

The duties of the Lead Dental Assistant include but, are not limited to: Meets the needs of veterans while supporting VA and VAMC mission. Consistently communicates and treats veterans, their representative, visitors, and all VA staff courteously, tactfully, and respectfully. Provides the veterans with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the veterans constructively and appropriately. Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Helps customers with questions or concerns. Leads a team of dental assistants performing at the GS-6 level. Manages and directs dental assistants in performing all assigned duties to deliver excellent patient care. Assigns co-lateral duties as necessary to allow optimal efficiency, attention to detail and clinic cleanliness. Coordinates daily dental assistant work assignments at the start of the shift and throughout the day as the need arises. Divides workload evenly between dental assistants. Oversees cleanliness and stocking of supplies in the dental operatories. Verifies supplies are rotated correctly to prevent stock from expiring. Checks work in progress to see that the Supervisor's instructions have been met, Instructs dental assistants in specific tasks and job techniques. Trains in CPRS, DRM+, and Digital Dental Radiography Imaging. Trains and orients all new dental assistants in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Maintains currents knowledge and answers questions from assistants on procedures, policies, and directives. Assists dentist at chairside as anticipated or required in all phases of restorative, prosthodontic, endodontic, periodontic and oral surgery treatment of medically compromised patients with comprehensive dentistry. Sets up operatory or surgery suits for planned dental procedure, cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Keeps operative field and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Operates dental digital x-rays equipment to take intraoral and panoramic radiographs following all established radiation safety protection measures. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Ability to take digital panograph and tomography images and cephalometric images. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories Decontaminates all dental operatory surfaces with chemical solutions after each patient is treated following universal precautions procedures Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Assists dentist in charting findings in patient records. Alerts Dentist of Comprehensive exams due as required to meet National monitors by annotating in DRM under alerts. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPPA with written and verbal information Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: N/A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 (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 I-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. 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 include: (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. (*Do not apply to this GS 7 level) (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 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. (* Required for this GS 7 level) Grade determination, 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. AND, 2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. 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. Preferred Experience: 1. Independently performing complex tasks without supervision. 2. Possess advanced knowledge of OSHA standards. 3. Experience assisting the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care, clinical and clerical functions. 4. Possession of Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, April 19, 2011. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Richard Cohen
• Phone: 504-422-9343
• Email: [email protected]