Lead Dental Assistant

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range:

$50,460.00/yr - $65,599.00/yr

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Lead Dental Assistant to join our Tampa VA team to play a vital role in delivering exceptional care to our nation's Veterans. This position offers the opportunity to grow your skills in a collaborative - mission-driven clinical environment committed to excellence and service.

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.

• 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.
• Experience and
  
  Education:
  
  Minimum 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.
• Certification:
  Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation – 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.
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
• Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
• Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) – required for positions above full performance level; not required for entry level but highly desirable.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees).
• Grade determination criteria: in addition to basic requirements, candidates must meet GS-6 grade level KSA’s (knowledge, skills, abilities) such as:
  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;
  Ability to perform four-handed dentistry in support of the dentist.
• Preferred experience:
  
  2 years as a Dental Assistant, with General…