The Lead Dental Assistant works with the Supervisory Dental Assistant or Chief of 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.

Duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities: Works with Lead Dentist to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, hears and resolves employee complaints and workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care. Develop and perform competency assessment and performance appraisals. Approves periods of leave, recommends special advancements/promotions and disciplinary actions, Develops and provides training to staff and the dental assistants as it relates to the Reusable Medical Equipment, radiography, and techniques. Perform ancillary assignments including program management of the reusable medical equipment training. Assists the Lead Dentist in clinic operations related to equipment requests. Provides primary support to Lead Dentist for daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling Orders supplies and equipment for the clinic. Coordinates the Dental Clinics application software for the Dental Service (DRM) including training of new staff and residents when required. Duties on an occasional basis Establishes and maintains effective and cooperative work relationships within the dental service and the facility. Serves in staff dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties. 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. 4. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Lead Dentist of the clinic outlines assignment parameters, deadlines, and priorities and provides advice on how to proceed when unusual problems are encountered. The Lead Dental Assistant plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols or accepted dental practices. 5. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals. Employee will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700am-430pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51876F 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: 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. 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 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 required. Grade Determinations:GS-7 Lead 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions. Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g. cone beam, cephalometric, advanced panoramic imaging, TMJ, etc). 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: EFFD/EDDA Certification References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46 PART II APPENDIX G36, DENTAL ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated 4/19/2011 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 07 to 07.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Tamera Pryor
• Phone: 205-454-2575
• Email: [email protected]