Summary

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.

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:

• 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 - 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: 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)
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a) (1) (D)
• Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment
• 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 not required - but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level - and is required for all positions above the full performance level
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• The knowledge - skills and abilities at the GS-6 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
• Ability to perform four-handed dentistry in support of the dentist
• GS-7 - Dental Assistant Experience: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower GS-6 grade level or equivalent that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Ability to perform dental assisting expanded functions
• Comprehensive working knowledge of advanced imaging techniques in order to provide instruction (e.g
• cone beam - cephalometric - advanced panoramic imaging - TMJ - etc.) All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience as a Dental Assistant
• General Chairside Assisting (GC) - Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) - and Infection Control (ICE) experience
• Certification in basic life support methods
• 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

• **This announcement has been amended to update the closing date from 1/12/2026.** This is an external announcement open to all US citizens
• Current permanent VA/Federal employees may apply under announcement CBTC-12857034-26-AVM to receive internal consideration
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Dental Assistant works with the supervisor or Chief of Dental Service to monitor and make work assignments - provide input on performance - resolve daily workplace issues - and maintain efficient flow of patient care
• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: Provide training to staff dental assistants - students and/or trainees
• Provides instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment
• Provides primary support to the Chief for the daily delivery of department programs - reporting - staffing and scheduling - Coordinates the patients' care plan to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment
• May perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs)
• 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 available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.