Summary The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Responsibilities Lead duties: - Leads a team of employees performing at the GS-7 level or below. Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team - Serves as a work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out. - Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustment in accordance with established priorities. - Checks work in progress to see that the supervisor's instructions have been met - Trains team members, students and volunteers in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. - Organizes and maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Equipment. - Participates in the management of dental supplies to assure adequate stock levels and appropriate storage. - Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentists' patient care time and minimize missed opportunities - Makes written instructions, reference materials, and relevant background material available. - Reports to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on performance problems - Monitors function of dental equipment and requests repair or replacement. - Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover - Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions - Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry - Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration - 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 - Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized - Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame - Shares comprehensive working knowledge of imaging techniques and provides instruction to others - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories - Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination - Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization - Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment - Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records - Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients - Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress - Pours impressions and prepares study models - Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims - Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays - Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow - Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) 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 - Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction - Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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 (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. 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 (1) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR, (2) 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, (3) 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 for this position. 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:GS-7: Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Examples of experience at this level include but are not limited to: using the concepts of four-handed dentistry; assists with specialty procedures including oral surgery, periodontal therapy, endodontic, prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration; anticipates surgeons/specialists needs at each stage of treatment; takes preliminary impressions; selects and manipulates a variety of gypsums and waxes; pours, trims and evaluates the quality of diagnostic casts; fabricates custom trays. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants. Preferred Experience: At least 2 plus years' experience as a dental assistant Excellent Customer Service and Communication Skills Must be able to work under pressure and plan workload without halting operation as a whole while showing initiative in completing priority tasks. Experience with Microsoft office, Microsoft Excel, Multi phone line Experience in coordinating clinic workflow and assignments Experience in supervising a team of employees and providing professional oversight and consultation Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Light Lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling, 5 hours; Pushing, 5 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of Fingers; Both hands required; Walking, 1 hour; Standing, 4 hours; Repeat Bending, 3 hours; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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) Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
