Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities The Chief Dental Service of the WTVAHCS is responsible to define the vision, mission and scope of the Service and assure effective performance of Service functions in support of the mission, vision, and goals of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17, and the WTV AHCS. Consistent with these responsibilities, the Chief of the Dental Service directly or indirectly supervises the performance of staff privileged and/or employed in the Service at Big Spring VA Medical Center clinical site and reports directly to the Associate Chief of Staff, WTV AHCS, The general practice dental officer serves as a practicing dentist who performs a full range of professional dental procedures in connection with the treatment of common encountered dental diseases or dental health problems requiring standard corrective, restorative or preventive measures. While fulfilling his/her role, the Chief of the Dental Service also interacts with staff of other services, Chiefs and/or Assistant Chiefs of Dental Services at other VA' s, staff of the VA Office of Dentistry, with representatives of affiliated institutions, professional organizations, and veterans' groups, and with individual veterans. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. The General Dentistry dental officer shall be proficient in all aspects of general dentistry including the ability to perform selected specialty services. Specifically, the provider should possess the expertise and competency to perform the following: 1. Assisting with the continuation of the Service into the primary functions of the WTV AHCS. 2. Assisting with the coordination and integration of interdepartmental and intradepartmental services. 3. Establishing and sustaining policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of services. 4. Recommending a sufficient number of qualified and competent persons to provide care/services. 5. Determining the qualifications and competence of Service personnel who provide patient care services and who are not licensed independent practitioners. 6. Continuously assessing and improving the performance of care and services provided. 7. Maintaining quality control programs, as appropriate. 8. Orienting and providing in-service training and continuing education of all persons in the Service in collaboration with staff of other services. 9. Assists with recommending staffing, space, equipment and other resources needed by the Service 10. Participating in the selection of sources for needed services not provided by the Service or the WTV AHCS. 11. Designating a person to act in his/her absence so that administrative direction is provided at all times. 12. Establishing and assists in implementing patient/resident care policies, personnel policies, and other policies of the Service and WTVAHCS. 13. Evaluating and implementing, as feasible, any recommendations from WTVAHCS committees and consultants. 14.Maintaining ongoing liaison with the governing body, with other clinical staff, and with administrative staff through regularly scheduled meetings and periodic reports. 15. Providing direct patient care consistent with his/her clinical privileges. 16. Make oral and radiographic examinations of the oral cavity. 17. Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions. 18. Administer local anesthesia. 19. Perform routine and complex restoration of teeth. 20. Perform simple and complex extractions of teeth. 21. Perform alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures. 22. Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns, and fixed bridge work. 23. Perform routine endodontic procedures on single and multi-canal teeth. 24. Perform routine and surgical periodontal procedures. 25. Responsible for clinic administration in compliance with VHA, Medical Center and Dental Services Directives, Policies and Procedures. 26. Providing guidance to staff in meeting assigned monitors a. Oral Exam Monitor b. Fluoride use Monitor. c. Primary Dental Provider d. Periodontal Preventive Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am-04:30pm Telework: Available Ad Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for EDRP incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov , for questions/assistance. Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at vacontractbuyoutprog@va.gov. 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 Dentist Basic Requirements 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~ 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~ 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: 5+ years experience in Dentistry Experience with digital dentistry Familiarity with surgical procedures Customer Service oriented - Good Communication skills Supervisory/Management Experience Leadership/Manager Positions. Dentist leadership and management positions may be Section Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Service Chiefs, VISN Lead Dentists, Service Line Managers, Central Office Program Positions, Chiefs of Staff, or Directors (i.e., medical center and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)). Dentists in leadership positions must demonstrate outstanding professional ability in the practice of dentistry or a dental specialty, and healthcare administration, as well as the ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain. These would include, but are not limited to dental practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality and performance improvement. Service Chief/Service Line Manager/Lead Dentist. In addition to the above, Dentists in these roles must demonstrate effectiveness coordinating and managing interdisciplinary collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to optimize the care of patients under their purview. It is expected individuals in these roles serve on a full-time basis. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation. 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. 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.
