Lead Dental Assistant

Full Job Description

The Lead Dental Assistant works with the supervisor or Chief Dental Service at the SLC VAHCS to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care; may approve brief periods of leave, provide training to staff dental assistants, students and/or trainees; may recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Experience and/or Education: Must have six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work.

~OR~ Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

~OR~ Have an equivalent combinations of experience and education.

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.

You must meet one of the following: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.

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.

Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).

NOTE: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.

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 Lead Dental Assistant 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 all positions above the GS-6 (full performance) level.

GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the GS-6 grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level.

GS-6 Assignment: Employee serves at the full performance level with the ability to perform full range of duties with some independence in assigned specialties, with indirect supervision from the lead dental assistant, dental assistant supervisor or treating dentist.

Assignments 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.

GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, 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: The preferred GS-6 Dental Assistant is a hard working team member who consistently delivers high quality work with minimal need for supervision while maintaining a positive, solutions-focused, and professional attitude.

They demonstrate high efficiency in the operatory and front office, moving smoothly between direct patient care and administrative tasks.

They are comfortable using computers for charting, community care coordination, and scheduling, and can quickly learn new VA systems as needed.

This assistant communicates clearly and respectfully with staff and Veterans, helps keep the clinic running on time, and supports a respectful and cooperative work environment.

This position requires current certification as documented experience functioning independently in a busy dental clinic, including chairside four-handed dentistry, digital radiography, and use of electronic dental record systems.

Highly desirable candidates will demonstrate a consistent record of high efficiency and reliability in a busy dental clinic, including the ability to manage multiple providers schedules, facilitate dental office administrative duties, and maintain accurate electronic documentation while keeping the clinic running smoothly.

Strong interpersonal skills, calm and professional demeanor, and a positive, solutions-focused approach to teamwork and patient care are preferred, as is proven proficiency with VA or comparable electronic health record and scheduling systems.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Dental assistant physical requirements include, but are not limited to: Sitting and/or standing chairside for long periods of time.

Frequent bending, twisting, and position changes in order to examine and service patients. Use of their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, instruments, or controls.

Holding the arm and/or hand in one position for long periods of time. Holding of suction devices and being able to retract soft tissues such as the tongue and cheeks.

Passing of dental instrumentation safely and predictably with the dentist. Minimum lifting requirements of 35 pounds in order to transfer equipment and pack or unpack supplies.

Assist in transferring of patients into and out of wheelchairs. Exceptional hand eye coordination. Near vision: ability to see details at close range. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: Provides instruction to other assistants in achieving diagnostic quality radiographs Provides instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment Provides primary support to the chief for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling Coordinates the patients' care plans to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis.

Prepares and trains employees on competencies for the dental service; RME, patient safety, ancillary tests etc. Works collaboratively with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed.

Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room Serves as a work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees are carried out Prepares the daily clinic schedule and makes assignments for employees Monitors the status and progress of work amongst dental assistants ensuring they are up to standards according to expectations of the dental assistant supervisor Train employees in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consults, storing, and viewing digital images, entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment planning Trains team members with projects that need accomplished to improve the service Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives Maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Equipment Trains dental staff in SOPs and reports noncompliance to supervisor Manages dental supplies to assure adequate stock levels with the logistics inventory manager Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentists' patient care time Obtains needed information on decisions from the supervisor on major issues and problems that arise Reports to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on performance problems Makes recommendations to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, recognitions of performance and personnel needs Maintains high standards of infection control protocols and ensure employees are compliant Assures that the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each workday to maintain security of the clinic area and dental equipment Responsible to enter BioMed orders in request to repair or replace dental equipment Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday 7:30am-5pm, then Friday 7:45am-4:15pm with every other Friday off Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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: May be available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policy.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52932-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized