Chief of Dental Services

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

Help

The Chief of Dental Service is responsible for the strategic planning and operation of Dental Service to include but not limited to performing the following duties:

• Contributes to the operation of effective and safe dental care. Interprets and follows guidance from federal, state, local, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Joint Commission (JC), and other accrediting agencies.
• Advises SAM-VAHCS leadership and implements approved corrective actions needed in response to findings or recommendations from internal and/or external surveyors or accrediting bodies.
• Develops clinical privileges consistent with standards of care and core competencies for Dental Service. Updates clinical privileges consistent with Bylaws. Facilitates ongoing peer provider reviews on a regular basis and re-credentialling and re-privileging staff in keeping with the Bylaws.
• Ensures the provision of Dental Services in a mainly outpatient capacity, though inpatient consultations will be completed as needed.
• Utilizes available VA, HSA, VISN, and SAM-VAHCS data tools to collect and analyze program data to achieve expected levels of quality and performance and service delivery improvement. Is responsible for establishing outcome goals, attaining goals, and implementing corrective actions as are necessary to meet targeted performance/quality measures.
• Formulates policies and operating procedures, ensuring compliance with VA regulations, statutes, and the standards of various internal and external reviews and accrediting bodies. Ensures policies and procedures are reviewed, signed, dated, and approved.
• Makes decisions and/or collaborates with ELT to make decisions affecting the basic content and character of the operations or programs including determining the timing and extent to which programs should be initiated, dropped, curtailed, and/or emphasized.
• Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of existing Dental Service programs in meeting established Facility goals and objectives. Develops plans for organizational changes accordingly. Thoroughly evaluates proposed program changes, operating Page 3 of 10 procedures, and delegations of authority to ascertain impact on current program operations and on VISN and SAM-VAHCS operations.
• Provides program direction and guidance to subordinate staff and effectively delegates authority and responsibility to subordinates necessary to carry out assigned tasks.
• Ensures required reports and correspondence are completed on or prior to the directed due dates.
• Briefs ELT as needed or as requested concerning matters related to the Service.
• Responsible for the financial management of the service, including budget planning and contract management.
• Evaluates past resource utilization, perceived future short and long-term resource requirements and their budgetary impact.
• Prepares the annual service budget for presentation to the SAM-VAHCS ELT.
• Monitors expenditures and proposed reallocation of funds based on shifting program needs.
• Develops and implements tracking methods to monitor the Service's fiscal activities including contracts.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authoirized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [redacted], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.

Dentist Basic Requirements

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with section A, chapter 3, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• English Language Proficiency. Dentists, including residents, appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• Education A degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or dental medicine resulting from a course of education in dentistry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are (1) United States and Canadian schools of dentistry listed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation(CODA), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.(2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia as qualifying for full and unrestricted licensure provided the licensure requirements include a written examination measuring science achievement and a performance examination measuring clinical competence certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. ~AND~
• Residency or Comparable Experience. Completed, or you are currently completing, a residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients. ~AND~
• Licensure and Registration. Currently hold, or will hold, a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Dentists must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is Grade 15. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is Grade 15.

Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - The work is largely office based and in a sedentary setting. No manual labor is required above ordinary situations. Incumbents must be capable of using a computer given that all clinical charting is electronic. This position at times requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally, and mentally stable to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

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 job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.