Summary PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. .Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain on file through December 31, 2026. Eligible applicants will be referred each month as vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Responsibilities The Chief, Dental Service shall be knowledgeable of all disciplines of clinical dentistry, provides quality patient care in collaboration with other health care professionals. The Dentist Service Chief should also possess the expertise and competency to perform their specific scope of practice defined through the medical center credentialing and privileging process. Administrative Duties: Maintains Service compliance with VHA Handbooks and Directives, VISN Policies, Medical Center Memorandum and Service Policies and Procedures pertinent to dental clinic management. Responds to Congressional inquiries regarding issues germane to the Dental Service Compliant with accreditation standards, including IG, Joint Commission, and other applicable survey/oversight entities. Compliant with Safety and Environment of Care (EOC) standards and programs. Prepares and annual gap analysis to assess demand versus capacity. Projects Dental Service workforce levels to meet current and future dental demand. Assesses equipment and space needs for the Dental Service. Prepares the Service annual budget and management briefing incorporating the gap analysis, workforce projections including contracts if applicable and equipment/space needs. Collaborates with DSS to ensure appropriate labor mapping of all Dental Service staff. Manages overtime in compliance with facility policy. Manages the Dental Fee Base Program in compliance with applicable VHA and local policies. Utilizes system redesign principles to promote organizational improvement, integrate quality metrics to monitor and improve performance, as well as optimize overall Service efficiency and effectiveness The Dentist provides quality patient care in collaboration with other health care professionals. The incumbent will perform specific duties within his/her approved scope of practice. The Dentist is assigned will provide dental screenings, cleanings, X-rays, and fillings. He/She will also provide specialty dental procedures like root canal, restorations, and dentures. Other duties and responsibilities, include but are not limited to: Preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases, injuries and malformation of the teeth, jaws and the oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures. Performing routine exams and teeth cleaning. Performing restorative procedures, including fillings and crowns. Performing comprehensive surgical care, including extractions (pulling teeth) and oral cancer screening. Performing routine and advanced prosthodontic care, including bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Performing routine and advanced periodontal care, including root canals, gum treatments, and supporting bone care. Performing oral and facial reconstruction surgery to repair damage from traumatic injury or serious illness. Other related duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. 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 Work Schedule: 4 10 hour shifts, day will vary Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN8CCoE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. 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: This position requires light under 15 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent use of hands and fingers, walking, standing, and bending. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or 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. Whole Health Statement: The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model that is based in a partnership across time, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
