The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The GS-7 staff Lead Dental assistant provide guidance to the Dental Assistants assigned to Dental Outpatient Clinic. In general, the Lead Dental Assistant recognizes the needs of the Dental Service and its Staff and rapidly provides the services required. The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is located in the Dental Service within the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in Dallas, TX.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinating work schedules in collaboration with the Supervisory Dental Assistant, taking into consideration priorities for care and urgency of need to maintain maximum efficiency and productivity of the clinic. Monitors the dental appointment process for patient's dental care and checks that patients are seen within a time frame that is acceptable. Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. Provides direction for on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, handbooks etc. Refers to a supervisor concerning questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards. Help patients by providing information and help with the necessary life style adjustments relating to dental health and must consider such factors as patient medical and dental disabilities, psychiatric and emotional disabilities, level of comprehension, and the level of complexity of the procedure being caries out by the Dentist. Chair-side duties include suctioning, protection of the patient's airway, selection of instrumentation for the Dentist, retraction of tissue, suture removal, preparation and placement of dental materials, placement of wound dressing, irrigation, patient positioning, etc. Prepare dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions, accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols, assists in routine general and specialized dental procedures, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontic, periodontics, dental implant surgery and prosthodontics. Other duties include carrying out infection control procedures, providing detailed preventive dentistry instruction, providing pre-op and post-op instruction, and ordering supplies and drugs. Perform dental imaging which consists of, taking digital and/or conventional radiographs of in- patients and outpatients according to prescription, including periapical, bitewing, occlusal, panoramic, cephalometric, and temporomandibular joint tomography. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized, and imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization by demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories as well as safety procedures in exposing images. Ensures instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards and in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Report to supervisor on performance, progress, and training needs of employees, as well as behavior problem(s) and provides information to the supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, recognition of outstanding performance, and personnel needs. Assist Supervisor with coordination of leave schedules/coverage in order to assure proper staffing of Dental Assistants to assist the Staff Dentist for continuum of care. Use work processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving email. Uses the VISTA, Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Dental Record Manager Plus (DRM +) to access information in the facility computer system. Modify care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position), Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients, Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements, Monitor patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Comply with Employee Education requirements and mandatory annual safety training sessions. Pour impressions and prepares study models, Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims, Fabricates athletic mouth , guards and bleaching trays, perform other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow. The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm 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

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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 1-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 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 for this position. 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. 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, 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: (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). 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-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. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of dental assistant experience. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standard dental procedures used in dental procedures. Ability to monitor and perform basis interpretation of vital signs. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The work ls primarily standing, although there are periods of sitting and some slight physical efforts may be required. However, there may be some walking, bending, and carrying of light items. Use of fingers and both hands are required. Hearing (aid permitted).

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.

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

NOTE: Education must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental] Accreditation (CODA). Search for Dental Programs (ada.org)

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]