Supervisory Dental Assistant

Created at: July 02, 2025 00:30

Company: Veterans Health Administration

Location: Fort Meade, SD, 57741

Job Description:

GS-8 Supervisory Dental Assistant 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. Has full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit which would require three or more dental assistants.
All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, 09/30/2025. 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. 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: 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). 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 (GS-6). English Language Proficiency: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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, GS-7, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. These include: 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. AND Certification: Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) 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. Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience; Experience working with dental insurance 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-8. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification (for positions above the full performance level) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 1. Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees MUST meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. 2. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. 3. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. 4. If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties include, but are not limited to: 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. Has full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit which would require three or more dental assistants. Assists the Dental Service Chief in clinic operations related to policy and performance standards development, equipment requests and workload analysis. Will analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. Coordinates clinical workflow and makes work assignments, hears and resolves employee complaints and workplace issues, and maintains efficient flow of patient care. Develops and provides training to staff dental assistants, students and/or trainees. Performs supervisory functions such as assessing competency, providing performance appraisals and managing training. Approves periods of leave. Recommends special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management. Establishes and maintains effective and cooperative work relationships within the dental service and the facility. Tasks are completed and good working relationships among team members and with management are maintained. Team priorities and goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Serves in dental assistant positions independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties and supervises, leads, and assists other dental assistants. Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification. Assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment and assists the dentist at chairside, bedside or in the operating room. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized


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