Supervisory Dental Assistant Job at Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affa

Overview

This Supervisory Dental Assistant position is located at the Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Albuquerque, NM. The Supervisory Dental Assistant is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of dental assistants. Typical duties include: making work assignments, monitoring dental assistant performance, resolving daily workplace issues, conducting performance appraisals, and maintaining efficient flow of patient care.

Responsibilities

• Supervises a team of dental employees performing at the GS-O8 level or below. Provides guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the team. Ensures compliance with VA policies. Takes responsibility for the dental team’s performance on National dental performance measures/monitors and indicators.
• Plans and assigns work, coordinates daily work assignments at the start of the shift and as needed.
• Monitors the status and progress of work, adjusts priorities, and obtains assistance from the Dental Service Chief or designee for major issues.
• Assesses competency, evaluates performance and progress of subordinate employees. Ensures dental assistants’ clinical performance follows dentist instructions. Addresses employee complaints and workplace issues.
• Develops performance standards, prepares performance appraisals and performance improvement plans. Approves leave for subordinates.
• Interviews candidates for dental assistant positions. Recommends appointments, promotions and/or reassignments. Recognizes performance and personnel needs.
• Issues minor disciplinary actions and makes recommendations for more serious actions as needed.
• Provides expert advice on tasks, procedures and policies. Identifies training needs and trains staff in computerized dental patient record systems and related tasks.
• Trains or arranges training for team members in tasks or projects. Maintains current knowledge and answers questions on procedures, policies, and directives.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the dental staff for Reusable Medical Device (RMD). Trains and ensures compliance; reports noncompliance as needed.
• Works with Sterile Processing Department (SPD), Logistics, Pharmacy, and Prosthetics to ensure availability of instruments and supplies.
• Serves as the Dental point-of-contact with the Safe Patient Coordinator and with the Radiation Safety Officer.
• Collaborates with the Systems Redesign Program to improve production and quality. Schedules appointments and coordinates with schedulers and providers to optimize patient care time and minimize missed opportunities.
• Maintains the dental station and treatment area per manufacturer instructions and service standards. Ensures security and readiness of the clinic area daily.
• Delegates duties as necessary.

Work Schedule: Full time, Mon-Fri, 7:00am-3:30pm

Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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.
• 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 CODA.
• Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Certification. Radiologic credentialing standards and related certification requirements as outlined in VA policy.
• Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence
• Successful completion of recognized radiology health and safety examinations or state/DoD equivalents.
• Non-certified applicants who meet eligibility may receive a temporary appointment; failure to obtain certification may lead to termination.
• Certification in basic life support is highly desirable.
• DANB Certification. DANB certification is not required but highly desirable for appointment up to full performance; required for positions above full performance.

May qualify based on Grandfathering provisions as described in VA Qualification Standard for this occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-8 Supervisory Dental Assistant

1. Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level demonstrating core competencies, plus technical KSAs.
2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of dental assisting across multiple areas of practice with ability to guide staff.
• Ability to coordinate clinical workflow and assignments.
• Ability to assist the Chief in Dental Clinic operations related to policy development, equipment requests and workload analysis.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships.
• Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data to optimize quality, performance, and productivity.
• *Ability to perform supervisory functions such as assessing competency, providing performance appraisals and managing training.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in supervision, administrative management, and direction of dental assistants.

The qualification standard references Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) for grades above full performance level.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46, PART II, APPENDIX G36, APRIL 19, 2011

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, carrying, coordination, vision and hearing requirements as described in the job posting.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if education is used to qualify.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/10/2025. To preview the questionnaire, see the vacancy posting.

1. Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in. Complete the occupational questionnaire and upload supporting documents.
2. Submit your answers to finalize the application package.

Agency contact information

Sandra Placencia

Phone: (279) 209-6551

Email: sandra.placencia1@va.gov

Address: Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Next steps

You will receive a confirmation by email after submitting. Applications will be reviewed for qualification and eligibility. Referred applicants will be notified by email and may be contacted for an interview. Status updates are available in USAJOBS.

Note: This job opportunity may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service.