Summary

This Lead Dental Assistant position is located at the Lee County Healthcare System - Cape Coral - FL. The Lead Dental Assistant is an integral member of the dental team and facilitates team processes by working collaboratively with team members to ensure that tasks are completed - that good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained - and that team priorities and goals - needs and achievements are coordinated with management.

Qualifications

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
• Education and Experience: 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)
• OR - Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• Dental Radiographer Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75
• Essentially - you 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 your 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)
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification: The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants
• DANB certification it is required for all positions above the full performance level
• This position is above the full performance level
• English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Grade Determinations: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06) that demonstrates the core competencies described is required
• At the GS-06 grade level employees have the ability to perform a 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
• Additionally - the knowledge - skills and abilities at the GS-06 grade level are: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy
• Advanced knowledge of instruments - materials - and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative - surgical - endodontic and periodontal care and procedures
• Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs
• Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist
• Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats
• Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry
• Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records
• Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the above experience - the candidate must demonstrate the following GS-07 grade level 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
• Certification as a Certified Dental Assistant through DANB is required
• This certification is different than the Radiography and Safety Competency through DANB
• You will be deemed ineligible if you are not a Certified Dental Assistant through DANB
• 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: 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

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Dental Assistant works with the Dental Service Chief and Supervisory Dental Assistant to monitor and make work assignments - provide input on performance - resolve daily workplace issues - and maintain efficient flow of patient care
• The Lead Dental Assistant assists the dental team in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical - dental laboratory - administrative/clerical and program management functions independently of direct supervision
• Duties and responsibilities of the Lead Dental Assistant include - but are not limited to: Leads a team of dental employees and Fee Basis dental providers
• Provides the guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team
• Takes responsibility for the dental team's performance on National dental performance measures/monitors and indicators
• Serves as a work leader - 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
• Obtains assistance from the Dental Chief or Supervisory Dental Assistant as needed for major issues or problems which arise
• Provides expert advice on specific tasks - procedures and policies
• Identifies training needs and instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques
• Trains employees and fee basis providers in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consults - storing and viewing digital images - entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment plans
• Trains (or makes arrangements for training) 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
• Makes written instructions - reference materials - and relevant background material available
• Obtains needed information on decisions from the Dental Chief or Supervisory Dental Assistant on major issues and problems that arise
• Provides input in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD)
• Trains dental team in SOPs and reports noncompliance to Dental Chief or Supervisory Dental Assistant
• Clinical Duties Proficiently provides procedures commonly recognized by the dental profession for safe performance by a dental assistant: fourhanded chair-side dental assisting - dental lab procedures - and performing other such procedures as may be delegated by the dentist consistent with the Florida State Dental Practice Act
• Complies with all Patient Safety processes: Infection control - patient identification - time-out - iMed (informed) consent - medication reconciliation - and hand-off communication
• Follows standard operating procedures for all reusable medical devices(RMD) - instruments - materials - and personal protective equipment (PPE) in use in the dental clinical areas
• Keeps patients informed of clinic delays by directly communicating with patients when treatment will not commence within 10-minutes of the patient's scheduled appointment time
• Prepares the operatory with all needed equipment - materials and supplies for planned dental procedure(s) prior to seating the patient and cleans operatory after the patient is dismissed for timely turnover
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm 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) 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 eligible for telework
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21783F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized