Dentist, Chief, Dental Services

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

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
CLINICAL SCOPE OF DUTIES:
The Chief, Dental Service shall be knowledgeable of all disciplines of clinical dentistry as listed below. The Chief should also possess the expertise and competency to perform their specific scope of practice defined through the medical center credentialing and privileging process.

• General Dentistry is the practice of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformation of the teeth, jaws, and human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures.
• Oral Surgery is the dental discipline that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions requiring surgical interventions including uncomplicated removal of teeth, recontouring of the alveolus, and other routine hard and soft tissue oral surgical procedures.
• Prosthodontics is the dental discipline of making artificial replacements for missing parts of the mouth and jaw.
• Periodontics is the dental discipline that deals with diseases of the supporting and investing structures of the teeth including the gums, cementum, periodontal membranes and alveolar bone.
• Endodontics is the dental discipline concerned with diseases of the pulp.

ADMINISTRATIVE SCOPE OF DUTIES:

• Is knowledgeable of, and maintains Service compliance with a) VHA Handbooks and Directives, b) VISN Policies, c) Medical Center Memorandum and d) Service Policies and Procedures pertinent to dental clinic management.
• Is knowledgeable of regulatory requirements for VA dental residencies with an emphasis upon Resident Supervision.
• Is knowledgeable and capable for responding to Congressional inquiries regarding issues germane to the Dental Service.
• Is knowledgeable and in compliance with accreditation standards, including IG, Joint Commission, and other applicable survey/oversight entities.
• Is knowledgeable and in compliance with Safety and Environment of Care (EOC) standards and programs including the following:
  • MSDS Requirements.
  • The Joint Commission EOC Standards.
  • Disposal of Hazardous Wastes.
  • GEMS Program.
  • Facility Emergency Preparedness Plan.
  • Infection Control Guidelines for Dentistry including management of RME.
• Has a working understanding and knowledge of available reports and data sources available through VistA, VCCS, DSS and other VHA data sources to facilitate management of the Dental Service.
• Responsible for the fiscal oversight of the Dental Service:
  • Prepares and annual gap analysis to assess demand versus capacity.
  • Projects Dental Service workforce levels to meet current and future dental demand.
  • Assesses equipment and space needs for the Dental Service.
  • Prepares the Service annual budget and management briefing incorporating the gap analysis, workforce projections including contracts if applicable and equipment/space needs.
  • Collaborates with DSS to ensure appropriate labor mapping of all Dental Service staff.
  • Manages overtime in compliance with facility policy.
  • Manages the Dental Fee Base Program in compliance with applicable VHA and local policies.
  • Has knowledge of and utilizes system redesign principles to promote organization improvement, optimize overall Service efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develops performance metrics for all provider classification to drive performance and to direct desired behavior.
• Follows VHA Scheduling Directives to enhance the management of access.
• Is actively engaged in facility Quality Improvement activities, including compliance with the VA credentialing/privileging process and ensuring that an active Peer Review process is in place for Dental Service providers.
• Actively engaged in Service Recovering and have knowledge of SHEP and other patient satisfaction data sources. Uses customer service data for service improvement.
• Operates a sound personnel performance management system in compliance with the Union Master Agreement and HR policies including VHA labor relations policies.
• Responsible for, have knowledge of and/or ensuring that the following are current: Title 38, Hybrid Title 38, and Title 5 Position Descriptions or Functional Statements.
• Applicable competency documents for all applicable dental staff classifications.
• Performance Appraisal System including performance plans, performance target goals, rating system and awards program.
• Time and leave policy for all staff types.
• Grievance and arbitration procedures.
• Disciplinary action process.
• AIB and other investigative options.
• Has knowledge of and follows conflict of interest and ethics policies related to business practices/associations including contracting and procurement regulations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45am - 4:15pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: clinical and administrative VA experience

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

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.

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/.

REQUIREMENTS
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 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).You may be required to serve a probationary period.Requirements:Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.