Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), 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

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The Section Chief, Dental Service serves as a practicing dentist who performs a full range of professional dental procedures in connection with the treatment of commonly encountered dental diseases or dental health problems requiring standard corrective, restorative, or preventive measures. Provides the administration of the Dental Service in compliance with applicable VHA, VISN, Medical Center and Dental Service Handbooks, Directives, Policies and Procedures.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF DUTIES

The Section Chief Dental Officer shall be knowledgeable in all disciplines of clinical dentistry listed below and possess the expertise and competency required to perform within their approved scope of practice as defined through the medical center credentialing and privileging process.

Patient Care Responsibilities: Clinical Dentistry is the practice of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, jaws, oral cavity, and adjacent tissues and structures. Responsibilities include performing oral and radiographic examinations; diagnosing pathological or irregular oral conditions; administering local anesthesia; performing routine and complex restorative procedures; performing simple and complex extractions; conducting alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures; providing prosthetic services, including immediate dentures, complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns, and fixed bridgework; performing routine endodontic procedures on single- and multi-canal teeth; and performing routine and surgical procedures within the scope of a general dentist.

Compliance Responsibilities: Maintains compliance with employee education requirements, including mandatory annual training, and supports continuing education through the identification, planning, documentation, and validation of professional development activities.

Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities: The incumbent provides leadership, oversight, and performance management for General Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and the Dental Assistant Supervisor assigned to the section. Responsibilities include evaluating staff performance; completing provider proficiency reports; assessing competencies; managing training and development; approving leave; and recommending promotions, awards, and corrective or disciplinary actions. The incumbent provides technical guidance and operational oversight, promotes effective working relationships within Dental Service and the medical center, and advises the Chief of Dental Service on service needs, challenges, and improvement opportunities. The Section Chief assists in ensuring compliance with personnel policies, ethical standards, infection control and sterilization requirements, quality management initiatives, and performance expectations. The incumbent also supports the delivery of appropriate patient care by ensuring treatment plans are developed and documented in accordance with patients' dental classifications and serves as Acting Chief of Dental Service when designated.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4:00PM

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 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

• 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~
• 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~
• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Completion of a GPR , AEGD program or 5 years experience in dentistry
• Experience with digital dentistry
• Experience in all aspect of general dentistry
• Familiarity with surgical procedures
• Knowledge of accreditation standards
• Leadership or Supervisor Experience

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

Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); pushing (up to 1/4 hour); reaching above shoulder level; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 1 hour); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 3 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (hearing aid may be permitted); near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to Jaeger 1-4; and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye.

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.

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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

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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.

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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.