Summary

This Supervisory Dental Assistant position is located at the Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Albuquerque - NM. The Supervisory Dental Assistant is responsible for the supervision - administrative management and direction of dental assistants. Typical duties include: making work assignments - monitoring dental assistant performance - resolving daily workplace issues - conducting performance appraisals - and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.

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)
• 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
• 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 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
• 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-8 Supervisory Dental Assistant Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice - and the demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants
• Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments
• Ability to assist the Chief in Dental Clinic operations related to policy development - equipment requests and workload analysis
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships
• Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality - performance - and productivity within section
• *Ability to perform supervisory functions such as assessing competency - providing performance appraisals and managing training
• Preferred Experience: Experience in supervision - administrative management - and direction of dental assistants
• The qualification standard is referring to Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) and this is required for all grades above the full performance level (GS-6) - whether that is a supervisor - lead - or expanded functions dental assistant position
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include moderate lifting (15-44 lbs) - heavy carrying (45 lbs and over) - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - good distant vision in one eye - ability to hear whisper voice
• There is moderate walking (3-4 hrs.) and some extended periods of standing (3-4 hrs.).

Duties

• Functions and Supervisory Duties: Duties listed in this section (a) comprise at least 25% of the Supervisory Dental Assistant's time
• Supervises a team of dental employees performing at the GS-O8 level or below
• Provides the guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team
• Assures compliance with VA policies
• Takes responsibility for the dental team's performance on National dental performance measures/monitors and indicators
• Plans and assigns work - assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out
• Coordinates daily 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 adjustments in accordance with established priorities
• Sets and adjusts short-term priorities
• Obtains assistance from the Dental Service Chief or designee as needed for major issues or problems which arise
• Assesses competency and evaluates the individual performance and progress of subordinate employees
• Ensures that the dental assistant's clinical performance meets the dentist's instructions
• Hears and resolves employee complaints and workplace issues
• Develops performance standards and prepares performance appraisals and performance improvement plans when problems are identified
• Approves leave for subordinates
• Interviews candidates for dental assistant positions
• Recommends appointments - promotions and/or reassignments
• Recommends awards and/or recognitions of performance and personnel needs
• Issues minor disciplinary actions - such as counseling and warnings
• Recommends other action in more serious cases
• Provides expert advice on specific tasks - procedures and policies
• Identifies developmental and training needs of employees in specific tasks and job techniques
• Trains all employees and fee basis providers in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consults - exposing - storing and viewing digital images - entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment plans
• Trains (or makes arrangements for training) team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects
• Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from team members on procedures - policies - and directives
• Makes written instructions - reference materials - and relevant background material available
• Obtains needed information on decisions from the Dental Service Chief or designee on major issues and problems that arise
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Device (RMD)
• Trains and ensures compliance of dental team in SOPs - and reports noncompliance to the Dental Service Chief or designee
• Works closely - and serves as the liaison with Sterile Processing Department (SPD) to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Works closely - and serves as the liaison with Logistics Service to manage dental supplies and materials to assure adequate stock levels and appropriate storage
• Works closely - and serves as the liaison with Pharmacy Service to manage dental supplies and materials to assure adequate stock levels and appropriate storage
• Works closely - and serves as the liaison to Prosthetics Service
• Serves as the Dental point-of-contact with the Safe Patient Coordinator
• Serves as the Dental point-of-contact with the Radiation Safety Officer
• Works closely - and serves as the liaison with the Systems Redesign Program to identify ways to improve production or improve quality
• Schedules appointments - and serves as the liaison between other schedulers and the providers to maintain efficient and productive use of the providers' patient care time and minimize missed opportunities
• Maintains the dental station and treatment area in a clean and operational condition per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards
• Assures that the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each work day to maintain security of the clinic area and dental equipment
• Delegates these duties as necessary
• Work Schedule: Full time - Mon-Fri - 7:00am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required