The West Texas VA Health Care System, Big Spring, Texas is seeking a Dentist (Chief, Dental Service) responsible to define the vision, mission and scope of the Service and assure effective performance of Service functions in support of the mission, vision, and goals of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17, and the WTVAHCS. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.
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. Education: 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. Residency or Comparable Experience: Completion of an approved residency program in general practice or specialty, or comparable experience as a dentist actively involved in treating medically compromised patients. Licensure and Registration: Dentists (Except Residents). Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. The dentist must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure. Residents (Independent and Integrated Programs). Graduates of approved United States and Canadian schools of dentistry must have 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 before the second year of VA residency, or, for integrated programs, meet any licensure, registration or other equivalent requirements established for residents of non-VA hospitals with which the VA facility is affiliated for training purposes. The resident must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active current licensure. 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 Preferred Experience: 3 years experience in VA Dentistry Experience with digital dentistry Familiarity with surgical procedures Customer Service oriented - Good Communication skills Experience as a Supervisor/Management position References: VA Handbook 5005/93 Appendix G3 Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying, under 15 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; standing, 2 hrs; 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 (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. See VA Handbook and Directive 5019.
The Chief of the Dental Service directly or indirectly supervises the performance of staff privileged and/or employed in the Service at Big Spring VA Medical Center clinical site and reports directly to the Associate Chief of Staff, WTVAHCS. The general practice dental officer serves as a practicing dentist who performs a full range of professional dental procedures in connection with the treatment of common encountered dental diseases or dental health problems requiring standard corrective, restorative or preventive measures.While fulfilling his/her role, the Chief of the Dental Service also interacts with staff of other services, Chiefs and/or Assistant Chiefs of Dental Services at other VA' s, staff of the VA Office of Dentistry, with representatives of affiliated institutions, professional organizations, and veterans' groups, and with individual veterans. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE: The General Dentistry dental officer shall be proficient in all aspects of general dentistry including the ability to perform selected specialty services. Specifically, the provider should possess the expertise and competency to perform the following: Assisting with the continuation of the Service into the primary functions of the WTVAHCS. Assisting with the coordination and integration of interdepartmental and intradepartmental services. Establishing and sustaining policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of services. Recommending a sufficient number of qualified and competent persons to provide care/services. Determining the qualifications and competence of Service personnel who provide patient care services and who are not licensed independent practitioners. Continuously assessing and improving the performance of care and services provided. Maintaining quality control programs, as appropriate. Orienting and providing in-service training and continuing education of all persons in the Service in collaboration with staff of other services. Assists with recommending staffing, space, equipment and other resources needed by the Service Participating in the selection of sources for needed services not provided by the Service or the WTV AHCS. Designating a person to act in his/her absence so that administrative direction is provided at all times. Establishing and assists in implementing patient/resident care policies, personnel policies, and other policies of the Service and WTVAHCS. Evaluating and implementing, as feasible, any recommendations from WTVAHCS committees and consultants. Maintaining ongoing liaison with the governing body, with other clinical staff, and with administrative staff through regularly scheduled meetings and periodic reports. Providing direct patient care consistent with his/her clinical privileges. Make oral and radiographic examinations of the oral cavity. Diagnose pathological or irregular oral conditions. Administer local anesthesia. Perform routine and complex restoration of teeth. Perform simple and complex extractions of teeth. Perform alveoloplasty and other routine surgical procedures. Perform prosthetic dentistry to include immediate dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, crowns, and fixed bridge work. Perform routine endodontic procedures on single and multi-canal teeth. Perform routine and surgical periodontal procedures. Responsible for clinic administration in compliance with VHA, Medical Center and Dental Services Directives, Policies and Procedures. Providing guidance to staff in meeting assigned monitors: Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized