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 incumbent assigned to this position will be an instrumental part of the VA Bedford Health Care System Dental Service and be expected to perform at a performance level. Examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases of investing hard and soft tissues of teeth. Examines patients and interprets radiographs to assist in determining extent of tissue breakdown. Evaluates findings and conducts treatment; Corrects defects of occlusion. Prescribes and administers medications in treatment of diseases and infection of the oral cavity. Instructs patients in oral hygiene and dental preventive measures; Provides consultation services. Delivers prosthodontic dental treatment and supports oral health programs. Serves as a consultant to other dentists, dental hygienists, residents, and technical assistants involved in treating diseases of investing tissues. Instructs dental providers and technical assistants in preventive dental protocols and techniques. Make oral and radiographic examinations of the oral cavity, Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions and Administer local anesthesia. Perform routine and complex restoration of teeth, Perform simple extractions of teeth and Perform routine simple surgical procedures. Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns, Implants and fixed bridge work. Perform endodontic procedures on single and multi-canal teeth within the scope of a Prosthodontist. Perform routine and surgical procedures within the scope of a Prosthodontist. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures and Completes annual mandatory Infection Control Training. Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals. Meets the needs of veterans while supporting VA and VAMC mission. Consistently communicates and treats veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the veteran with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the veteran constructively and appropriately. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday (7:45a - 4:15p) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is eligible for the EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VHA EDRP Program Support VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, for questions or assistance on how to begin the application process. Learn more. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. 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 identification 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must be able to physically and mentally perform the duties in a hospital setting under normal and emergent conditions. Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; standing up to 1 hour per day; near/far vision correctable; hearing aid permitted. Environmental factors - working closely with others. 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/. 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.
