Lead Dental Assistant

The Lead Dental Assistant position could rotate in the following locations: Data Point Dental Clinic, Randolph Air Base Dental Clinic, Audie L Murphy VA Hospital, or Northwest Health Care Center. The incumbent will work with the Dental Assistant Supervisor or Dental Service Chief to provide input on performance, facilitate dental service's processes, and assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care.

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 experience in managing dental supplies.
• Experience in scanning dental clinic equipment.
• Experience in setting up dental kits for various procedures.
• Experience in dealing with equipment and supply recalls.
• Experience in coordinating daily schedules/filling in gaps in schedules.
• Commitment to VHA organization goals.

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: Push carts full of medical supplies. There is a frequent requirement for lifting baskets of stainless steel instruments weighing 25 pounds from floor level to chest level and occasional requirements for similarly lifting baskets weighing 50 pounds, bending, stretching and reaching is frequently required. Dexterity and strength are required. The employee regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds, into elevators in sometimes crowded quarters, and works them over slight rises such as door-sills. Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results critical to patient care on per-established time frames and in emergent situations. Workdays can be lengthened without notice by emergency surgery instrumentation needs. Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results on a pre-established time frame as well as in emergent situations.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but are not limited to:
Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works with the Dental Assistant Supervisor or Dental Service Chief/ Assistant Chief to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care.
• Facilitates dental service's processes by working collaboratively with dental assistants and staff to ensure that tasks are completed, that good working relationships among dental service members and with management are maintained, and that dental service's priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management.
• Serves in staff dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties in lead dental assistant positions. Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification.
• Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. The dental assistant receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room.

a. Lead Duties:

• Provides guidance and technical direction necessary to accomplish the work.
• Serves as a work leader, assuring the work assignments are carried out.
• Coordinates daily work assignments at the start of the shift and throughout the day as the needed.
• Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustment.
• Obtains assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems which arise.
• Checks work in progress to see that the instructions have been met.

b. Customer Service:

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

c. Chairside Assisting:

• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.

d. Dental Imaging:

• Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats.
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider.
• Ensures dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.

e. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:

• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination.
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization.
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment.
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.

f. Administrative Functions:

• Ensures dentist's approved clinic cancellation and opening requests are entered in a timely manner.
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.

g. Patient Safety:

• Modifies 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.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

h. Dental Laboratory Functions:

• Pours impressions and prepares study models.
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims.
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.

i. Direct Patient Care:

• Monitors patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure.
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site.
• Applies topical fluoride.
• Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication.
• Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Eligible
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

Salary : $45,199 - $58,754