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Summary Serves as the Lead Dental Assistant for the Dental Service, working closely with the Dental Service Chief and Supervisory Dental Assistant to monitor and make work assignments, provide input on employee performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient workflow to support patient care. Only current VISN 6 employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are eligible to apply. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Duties listed in this section(a) comprise at least 25% of the Lead Dental Assistant Time; Leads a team of dental employees performing at the GS-07 level or below. Provides the guidance and technical direction necessary for accomplishing the work of the team. Serve as a work leader, assuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out. Coordinates daily dental assistant 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 adjustment in accordance with established priorities. Serves as Systems Redesign Coordinator. Obtain assistance from the supervisor as needed for major issues or problems which arise. Checks work in progress to see that the supervisor's instructions have been met. Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques. Trains employees (dentist, dental residents, and dental assistants) in computerized dental patient record systems including generating patient consultants, storing, and viewing digital images, entry of diagnostic data and preparation of treatment planning. Trains 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 Organizes and maintains Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Participates in the management of dental supplies to assure adequate stock levels and appropriate storage. Serves as a liaison between the scheduler and the dentist to maintain efficient and productive use of the dentist's patient care time and minimize missed opportunities. Make written instructions, reference materials, and relevant background material available. Obtains needed information on decisions from the supervisor on major issues and problems that arise Reports to the supervisor on individual performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on performance problems. Maintains the dental station and treatment area in a clean and operational condition. Assures that the dental treatment area is set up and shut down each workday to. Maintain security of the clinic area and dental equipment. Delegates these duties as necessary. Clinical Oversees daily operatory readiness and workflow for the dental team, ensuring equipment, supplies, and instruments are available to support scheduled procedures. Provides guidance and technical direction to dental assistants in chairside techniques, infection control, and imaging practices. Coordinates with SPS and other staff to prevent delays in patient care and maintain adequate instrument inventory. Demonstrates courteous, respectful, and professional customer service to patients, staff, and the public; resolves questions or concerns and ensures service recovery as needed. Assists providers using four-handed dentistry concepts for both routine and specialized procedures, including oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant services. Passes instruments accurately and efficiently, maintains a clear operative field, and ensures patient comfort throughout procedures. Prepares dental medicaments and materials per manufacturer instructions and follows all infection control and RME protocols. Exposes and processes standard and specialty dental images (e.g., TMJ, cephalometric, cone beam) using safe radiation practices; ensures images are diagnostic quality and accurately labeled. Maintains and troubleshoots dental equipment in accordance with manufacturer and service standards, reporting any issues impacting patient care. Assists with scheduling gaps, charting, and progress note documentation in electronic records while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Monitors patients during treatment, participates in patient identification and time-out processes, and promptly responds to signs of distress. Provides clear pre- and post-procedure instructions, oral hygiene education, and preventative care guidance. Fabricates study models, custom trays, bite rims, and mouth guards; performs additional lab tasks within scope of practice. Applies topical anesthetics and fluoride as directed by the dentist. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Only current VISN 6 employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are eligible to apply. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday, 7:30am- 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Experience and Education - To fulfill this requirement, you must meet one of the following: Experience: Six months experience that demonstrates your 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. You must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in this 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 in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). DANB certification is required for all positions above the full performance level. DANB CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. Grade Determinations: Lead Dental Assistant, GS-07: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-06). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All Dental Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (04/19/2011) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including certification 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. Dental Assistants grandfathered under this provision 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. Dental Assistants 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. Dental Assistants 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 a Dental Assistant who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Preferred Experience: Must maintain current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification and have a minimum of five (5) years experience of dental assisting experience. 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-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing, 3 hours; Repeated bending, 8 hours; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Depth perception; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Works with radiation; Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This occupation is listed on the OIG Determination of Veterans Health Administration's Occupational Staffing Shortages fiscal year (FY) 2026 dated September 25, 2025. Therefore, vacancy announcement is exempt from Veterans Preference. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.