Lead Dental Assistant

Summary

The Lead Dental Assistant works with the Supervisory Dental Assistant or Dental Service Chief to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to the following: Lead Duties: Provides guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team. Assures work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out. Coordinates daily dental work assignments. Monitors the status and progress of work and makes adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Serves as System Redesign Coordinator. Trains employees in computerized dental patient record systems and SOPs. Provides input on developing SOPs for the Reusable Medical Equipment. Management of dental supplies. Serves as liaison between the scheduler and the dentist. Ensures written instructions, reference materials and relevant background material are available. Reports to supervisor on individual performance, progress and training needs of employees; including recommendations as requested concerning promotions, reassignments, recognition of performance and personnel needs. Maintains the dental station and treatment area in a clean and operational condition. Monitors the function of dental equipment and requests repair or replacement. Patient Care Duties: Shows courtesy, respect and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general and specialized dental procedures. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital formats. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Assists in filling gaps in doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Assists dentist in chart findings, treatment plans, and treatment in patient records. Initiates computerized treatment/progress notes, return to clinic orders and completes clinical reminders. Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPPA with written and verbal information. Compliant in Patient Safety. Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and stints. Monitors patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides patient preventative educations and oral hygiene instructions. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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

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. Experience and Education Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR Education: Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on [Dental] Accreditation [(CODA)]. 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. Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.; OR 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 Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD) Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. 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 full performance level. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 Lead Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-6) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Light to moderate lifting (1-44 pounds), light carrying under 15 pounds, ability to assist transferring patients using a life, transfer belt or board, use of fingers, both hands, walking 2-3 hours, standing 1-3 hours, repeat bending 4-5 hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneously, depth perception, good vision (eyeglasses permitted), hearing (aids permitted), emotional and m