The Lead Dental Assistant position is located in the Dental Service at the Newington, CT location. This position is a Full-Time position at 40 hours per week.

Duties

Lead: Coordinate clinical workflow/assignments and provides guidance using advanced knowledge of dental-assisting principles across multiple areas of practice; Assist in dental-program development, outcome management, and strategic planning; Act as liaison between dental-assisting staff and supervisor. Customer Service: Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Assist customers with questions or concerns. Chairside Assisting: Set up operatory, bedside and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover; Possess advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care. Dental Imaging Possesses: Comprehensive knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc.); Expose both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats; Capture images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories; Disinfect oral appliances to prevent cross contamination; Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization. Clerical Functions: Assist in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Initiate computerized progress note; Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Patient Safety Modifies: Care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position); Provide accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Employee Education: Complete mandatory annual training sessions; Maintain DANB certification as required for above full-performance-level dental assisting positions. Dental Laboratory Functions: Pour impressions and prepares study models; Make final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims; Remove plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses; Fabricate athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday. Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PDF07231 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. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience: 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. 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). 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. 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: Lead Dental Assistant, GS-7 Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Examples of such experience includes ability to identify normal oral anatomy; advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures; monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs; independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist; capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats; perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry; enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records; and perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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 a liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, both eyes required, and depth perception.

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 West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Troy Norman
• Phone: (203) 932-5711 X3964
• Email: [email protected]