Summary

This Lead Dental Assistant position is located at Lee County Healthcare System - Cape Coral. The Lead Dental Assistant works with Dental Service Chief and Supervisory Dental Assistant to monitor and make work assignments - provide input on performance - resolve daily workplace issues - and maintain 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:

• (all applicants must meet the following basic requirements): Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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)].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
• 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: (a) Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board - Inc.
• OR (b) 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
• DANB CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
• Grade Requirements: Creditable Experience (a) Knowledge of Current Professional Dental Assistant Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - abilities [(KSAs)] - and other characteristics (also referred to as "core competencies") associated with current professional dental assisting practice
• Evidence of such experience includes graduation from a certified dental assisting training program - experience in private practice - VHA - Department of Defense (DoD) - or other federal[ - state - community or charitable] health care agency
• (b) Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable after the training program certifies that the individual has completed all required courses - an internship if it is part of the program - and graduated with passing grades
• (c) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a dental assistant is credited according to its relationship to full-time workweek
• For example - a dental assistant would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work
• 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 1
• 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: 2
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities a
• Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice - and demonstrated ability to provide guidance to staff dental assistants
• b
• Skill in coordinating clinical work flow and assignments
• c
• Ability to assist in dental program development - outcome management - and strategic planning
• d
• Skill in acting as liaison between staff dental assistants and the supervisor
• e
• Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff dental assistants
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a Lead Dental Assistant
• 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 Duties listed in this section(a) comprise at least 25% of the Lead Dental Assistant Time
• 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 dental team's performance measures/ monitors and indicators
• Serves as a work leader assuring the work assignment of employees in the unit are carried out
• Coordinates daily work assignments at the start of the shift and thought of the day as the need arises
• Monitor the status and progress of work and make 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 advise on specific task - 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
• Clinical Provides dental assistance with general dentistry specialty procedures including oral surgery - periodontal therapy - endodontic - prosthodontic and implant placement and restoration services to the Veteran population enrolled in the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
• 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 equipment (RME) - 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
• Keeps up to date and complies with all current Policies - Handbooks and Directives - Memoranda and Standard Operating Procedures - Workplace duties and Competencies within the VHA - applicable Accreditation and Regulatory Agencies - Medical Center - and Dental Service
• Effectively participates in staff meetings and service conference calls
• complies with employee education requirements
• Collaborates with dentists - dental assistants - dental hygienists - dental lab techs - the Dental Administrative Officer - and Medical Support Assistants (MSAs) in a manner that enhances coordination of patient care
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of dental eligibility and the scope of care that may be provided based on the patient's dental classification
• Properly fills out \"Return to Clinic\" orders for patient follow-up care
• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• The Lead Dental Assistant performs under the general supervision of the Dental Service Chief and direct supervision of the Supervisory Dental Assistant
• Work is assigned by the supervising dentist - Supervisory Dental Assistant or Chief - Dental Service
• The Dental Service Chief establishes work priorities and clinic procedures for the lead dental assistant's interactions with the dental team
• The Lead Dental Assistant plans and completes tasks based on established protocols/accepted dental practices
• The characteristics of dental procedures and the operation of new equipment are taught through formal or informal training sessions
• A dentist is available for professional guidance when required
• The Lead Dental Assistant informs the Dental Service Chief and/or Supervisory Dental Assistant of problems or unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate action
• The lead dental assistant's work is reviewed on an overall basis by the Supervisory Dental Assistant for conformity to Dental Service policy and requirements
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21783F