The organizational location of the position is: Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (TXVCBHCS) Dental Service - Harlingen Care Center (HCC). The incumbent will be an instrumental part of the TXVCBHCS)Dental Service and is expected to perform at the Supervisory Dental Assistant GS-681-8 level and is expected to provide overall support to the service to provide optimum care to our Veterans.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Supervisory Supervising a team of employees performing at the GS-8 level or below. Providing guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team Assuring compliance with VA policies Planning and assigning work and making adjustment in accordance with established priorities. Setting and adjusting short-term priorities Approving leave for subordinates Evaluating the performance, progress and training needs of subordinate employees Preparing performance appraisals and performance improvement plans when problems are identified Issuring minor disciplinary actions, such as warning and reprimands Recommending other action in more serious cases Interviewing candidates for dental assistant positions, recommending appointment, promotion, or reassignment Recommending awards or recognitions of performance Overseeing the Systems Redesign Program to identify ways to improve production or improve quality Monitoring work in progress to ensure that the staff dental assistant's clinical performance meets the dentist's instructions Conferring with dental chief or supervisory dentist if unable to resolve major issues or problems Monitoring function of dental equipment and requests repair or replacement Preparing electronic work orders and monitors completion Participating in the development of equipment requests and justifications based on workload Collateral duties as assigned by the dental service chief to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied Chairside Assisting Setting up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleaning dental unit for timely turnover Passing instruments safely, accurately and efficiently Keeping operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably Preparing dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Dental Imaging Exposing both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats Modifying settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories Disinfecting oral appliances to prevent cross contamination Properly preparing instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization Following all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment Clerical Assisting filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Initiating computerized progress note Information Management Maintaining patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Following computer security regulations Patient Safety Modifying care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Providing accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participating in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements Employee Education Complying with employee education requirements Dental Laboratory Pouring impressions and preparing study models Making final denture impression trays and preparing bite rims Direct Patient Care Monitoring patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure Applying topical anesthetic at the injection site Applying topical fluoride Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Not a Bargaining Unit position

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 (CODA) 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: Supervisory Dental Assistant, GS-08 At this level, dental assistants serve either as a Supervisory Dental Assistant. For all positions above the full performance level, duties must be assigned to the position at least 25% of the time. 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 performance appraisals, and other clinical and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Service Chief to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. Preferred Experience: DANB certification A least one-year experience as a lead dental assistant Five plus years dental assisting experience in various specialties: restorative, endodontics, periodontics, removable and fixed prosthodontics, orthodontics Experience with digital x-rays: FMXRs, periapical, panoramic Experience with electronic health records Familiarity with IV/surgical procedures: oral surgery, periodontal surgery, implant surgery Customer service oriented Commitment to VHA organizational goals References: VA Handbook 5005/46 Part II Appendix G36 Dental Assistant Qualification Standard GS-681 Veterans Health Administration April 19, 2011. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunction with travel to and attendance to meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript may 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/.

Accreditation Information: The completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from Commission on Dental Accreditation.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by CODA at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CODA website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]