The Supervisory Dental Assistant is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of dental assistants. May be delegated full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the dental assisting activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, stooping, stretching and lifting moderately heavy items. 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. Must hold a current Certified Dental Assistant Certification by the Dental Assistant National Board. 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). Grade Determination: GS-8 Supervisory Dental Assistant Experience Required: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of this specialized experience include, but are not limited to: administrative responsibility, clerical functions, computer skills, customer service, chairside assistance, dental imaging, infection control and equipment sterilization, information management, patient safety, employee education, dental laboratory functions and direct patient care. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: a. Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants. b. Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments. c. Ability to assist the Chief in Dental Clinic operations related to policy development, equipment requests and workload analysis. d. Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships e. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within section. f. Ability to perform supervisory functions such as assessing competency, providing performance appraisals and managing training. Assignment. The supervisory dental assistant is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of dental assistants. The incumbent may be delegated full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the dental assisting activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. They have full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit which would require three or more dental assistants. Typical duties include: making work assignments, monitoring of staff dental assistant clinical performance, conducting performance appraisals, and other clinical and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Service Chief to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The position requires heavy lifting of 45·pounds and over, intermittently pushing for up to 8 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8 hours, intermittently, standing 8 hours intermittently, repeated bending for 8 hours, intermittently, and use of both legs and arms for 8 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted. Must be an individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["Major duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Uses advanced knowledge of dental-assisting principles in multiple areas of practice for providing guidance to staff dental assistants. Coordinates clinical workflow and assignments. Assists Dental Service Chief in dental clinic operations (e.g. policy development, equipment requests and workload analysis). Establishes and maintains effective cooperative work relationships. Effectively analyzes clinically appropriate data to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within section. Assesses dental assistant competencies. Provides performance appraisals. Manages training of dental assistants. Performs supragingival scaling. Applies pit and fissure sealants. Places liners and bases. Adjusts removable prostheses. Performs tasks defined by state credentialing boards. Responsible for imaging quality control program (troubleshoots and makes appropriate referrals for identified imaging issues). Assists in developing equipment requests and justifications based on workload analysis. Places work orders for maintenance and repair of dental equipment in the clinic. Reviews standards and competencies for equipment use and sterilization. Reviews Community Care Consults and works with outside dental offices with Community Care issues. Work Schedule: 7:00AM -3:30PM Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS#000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
