Lead Dental Assistant

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

The duties are as follows:
-Leads a team of employees performing at the GS-7 level or below. Provides guidance and technical
direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team.
- Serves as a work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are appropriately
performed and completed. Coordinates daily dental assistant work assignments at the start of the shift
and throughout the day as the need arises.
- Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustment in accordance with established
priorities. Serves as the Dental Service Systems Redesign Coordinator. Obtains assistance from the
supervisor as needed for major issues or situations which arise
- Checks work in progress to see that the supervisor's instructions have been met.
- Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques. Trains employees (dentist, dental residents,
and dental assistants) 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, students, and volunteers in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Maintains
current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures, policies, and directives.
- Organizes and maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
- Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Dental Service for
Reusable Medical Equipment. Trains dental staff in SOPs and reports noncompliance to supervisor.
- Participates in the management of dental supplies to assure adequate stock levels and appropriate
storage.
- Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of
the dentist's patient care time and minimize missed opportunities.
- Make written instructions, reference materials, and relevant background material available. Obtains
needed information on decisions from the supervisor on major issues and situations that arise.
- Reports to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and
on performance issues.
- Make recommendations to the supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignments,
recognition of performance, and personnel needs.
Maintains the dental operatory and treatment area in a clean and operational condition. Assures that
the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each workday to maintain security of the clinic area
and dental equipment. Delegates these duties as necessary.
- Monitors the function of dental equipment and requests repair or replacement. Prepare electronic work
orders and monitor the completion of requested work.
- Assist in acquiring quotes for Dental Service equipment from partnered vendors.
- Assist in completing the annual EIL (Equipment Inventory Listing) inspection.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional



Work Schedule: 0730-1600 M-F
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• 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 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• Experience and Education
  (1) Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the
  work, or provides familiarity with the work.
  OR,
  (2) Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the
  American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)].
  (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• 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.
  
  (1) Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence
  (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination
  administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.;
  OR,
  (b) 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. [ ]
  OR,
  (c) Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a
  state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD).]
  
  (2) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of
  radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under
  the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is
  justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This [will result in removal from the
  GS-681 series and] may result in termination of employment.
  
  (3) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
  
  (4) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental
  Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB
  certifi- cation is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up
  to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full
  performance level.
  
  (5)] Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain
  licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required
  licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in
  termination of employment.
• d. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the
  effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements
  3 for the title, series and grade held, including certification [(for positions above the full
  performance level)] that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who
  do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications
  applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  
  [(1)] Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance
  (journey) level, or [changed to lower grade] within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond
  the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees
  [MUST] meet the [certification] requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade
  levels.
  
  [(2)] Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the
  qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on
  a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
  
  [(3)] Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional
  education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this
  qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the
  occupation.
  
  [(4)] If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves [the] occupation, the
  employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations: GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant

Experience. At least one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade (GS-6) level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities-
a) Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants.
b) Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments.
c) Ability to assist in dental program development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
d) Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor.
e) Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants.

Assignment. The Lead Dental Assistant works with the supervisor or Chief Dental Service 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.


Preferred Experience:
5 years exp as Dental Assistant
DANB (Dental Assisting National Board-certification)

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 07 to 07.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Licenses/Certificates/Transcripts
• Licenses/Certificates/Transcripts
• Licenses/Certificates/Transcripts
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps