Summary The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System in Harlingen, TX is seeking to hire a full-time Dentist. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency in general dentistry, exhibit strong patient care capabilities, and possess excellent communication skills for interacting with caregivers. Additionally, the candidate is expected to be flexible and willing to undertake administrative duites as assigned. Responsibilities The Dentist provides comprehensive care for patients who have illnesses within the scope of dentistry. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. Other responsibilities may include education of medical students and residents and/or supervision of other providers. The majority of the Dentist's time is devoted to patient care and education, with the remaining time set aside for performance improvement activities, creative research to improve patient care, activities sufficient to maintain proficiency in state-of-the-art Dentistry care. Some travel may be required to meet the needs at various sites of VA Texas Valley. Coastal Bend Health Care System. The Dentist responds to and completes consults received for the evaluation of Dentistry including but not limited to: Performs a comprehensive, detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination in compliance with national guidelines. Make clinical and radiographic examination of the oral cavity. Consults other disciplines, as necessary, to complete the patient evaluation. Carries out health promotion and disease prevention activities including education and shared decision-making. Surgical competence in dentistry procedures is desirable and documentation of procedures within the past 12 months will be requested reflective of the scope of privileges requested. Participate in all VISN and national level efforts in dental programs. Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions. Administer local anesthesia. Perform routine simple and complex restoration of teeth. Perform alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures. Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns and fixed bridge work. Perform routine endodontic procedures on single or multi-canal teeth. Perform routine and surgical periodontal procedures. Writes Medical Orders and prescriptions for non-controlled substances and controlled substances, as necessary, for the care of the patient in accordance with Federal and State law and approval of the supervising Dentist. Documents the detailed, targeted, initial history and physical examination required for evaluation in the electronic tool(s) required by VA. Timely completion of dental notes within the Electronic Health Care Record, as well as assistance with VA community care referrals. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.- Subject to change based on agency requirements). VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Education: A degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are (1) United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation(CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed. (2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. ~AND~ Residency: Completed, or you are currently completing, a residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients. ~AND~ License: Currently hold, or will hold, a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Dentists must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure. Preferred Experience: Demonstrates courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude. Must have 5 or more years experience in General Dentistry. Has completed an American Dental Association approved one or two-year dental residency, or has comparable experience as a dentist member of a hospital medical staff actively involved in hospital dental care. Currently practicing, VA experience, proficient in electronic health records and computer usage. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-3 Dentist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight Pulling (8-12 hours); Pushing (8-12 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (8-12 hours): Standing (8-12 hours); Kneeling (2 hours): Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental/emotional stability. Education Education: Degree of doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: (1) United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed. (2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. If your school was accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on its website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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/. Additional Information 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.
