About This Position
The Deputy Chief, Dental Service is responsible for assisting the Chief, Dental Service in managing all aspects of the dental program. The primary focus is on ensuring high quality dental care for Veterans, overseeing both administrative and clinical operations, and enhancing patient satisfaction and experience within the Dental Service.
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.) 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~ License: Currently hold, or will hold, a current, full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United State active, current licensure. Preferred Experience: Prior or current experience as a Martinsburg VA staff dentist or specialist. Experience in leadership roles in the VA Dental Service, military, or other organization.
Knowledge of all VA Dental regulations (VHA Handbook 1130.1), VA infection control, RMD regulations, policies and directives, and VA dental eligibility. Dentist leadership and management positions may be Section Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Service Chiefs, VISN Lead Dentists, Service Line Managers, Central Office Program Positions, Chiefs of Staff, or Directors (i.e., medical center and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)). Dentists in leadership positions must demonstrate outstanding professional ability in the practice of dentistry or a dental specialty, and healthcare administration, as well as the ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain.
These would include, but are not limited to dental practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality and performance improvement. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The Deputy Chief, Dental Service performs both administrative functions and dental procedures which may require sitting or standing for extended periods.
The dentist must demonstrate manual dexterity and the ability to use dental instruments and tools. The position may involve lifting or moving patients or equipment.
Major Duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Clinical Patient Care: Provide dental care that will restore, prevent, or remedy dental disease and injuries of the teeth, jaws and related structures of veterans according to generally accepted standards of dental practice and scope of services based upon statutory eligibility. Provide a broad range of routine and complex procedures including restorative, endodontic, prosthetic, periodontic, and oral surgery.
Facilitate community care referrals. Provide emergency dental care. Educate Veterans on proper oral hygiene techniques and the importance of regular dental visits, encouraging effective oral health practices to prevent diseases and decay.
Communicate effectively with Veterans regarding their treatment options, procedures, and outcomes. Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including treatment plans and progress notes.
Complete monthly Clinical Point of Care Reviews and semiannual Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations. Participate in interdisciplinary care discussions and contribute to the development of comprehensive care plans. Ensure timely closure of all patient encounters, maintain requisite RVU's per clinical hour, and keep the dental monitors current.
Strive to meet or exceed various metrics set by the Service, Facility, and Department of Veterans Affairs. Management & Leadership: Assist the Chief, Dental Service in overseeing clinical operations, ensuring adherence to VA policies and best practices. Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to dental staff, fostering a collaborative and professional working environment.
Participate in the development and implementation of dental care protocols and standards. Manage day-to-day programmatic functions within the Dental Service, including resource allocation and consumption, assessing staff performance, budget and planning, strategic planning, oversight of resident and student training programs, Homeless Veteran Dental Program, and directing dental services at a large medical center. Assists the Chief, Dental Service in leading and supervising a team of approximately 45 dental health professionals, and assists in their recruitment, training, and evaluation.
Maintain regular attendance at Service level meetings, such as staff meetings, case presentation and implant board, and Facility Medical Staff Meetings. Attend and present as needed to Facility meetings and workgroups (CPRC, IPRC, RSM, PMC, etc.). Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
Develop and implement quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing dental care services. Lead efforts to achieve and maintain high levels of patient safety and clinical excellence. Care in the Community Delegation of Authority (DOA): Oversee and manage the care coordination for dental services provided in the community (non-VA providers).
Ensure referred dental care aligns with VA standards and that Veterans receive timely and appropriate care. Monitor and evaluate the performance of community care providers, addressing any issues related to quality and patient satisfaction. Collaborate with Care in the Community team to streamline referral processes and ensure seamless integration of community care with VA dental services.
Customer Service & Veterans Experience: Demonstrate patient-centered care that upholds the values of the VA. Interact courteously and respectfully with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other community organizations. Address customer concerns and handle criticism/conflicts constructively and appropriately.
Work collaboratively with other dental and healthcare professionals, including dental hygienists, dental assistants, and administrate staff. Serve as a service level Veterans Experience Liaison and point of contact for PATS-R within the Dental Service, ensuring timely resolution of complaints and concerns. Work with the Veterans Experience Office to gather and analyze feedback from Veterans to identify areas for improvement in service delivery.
Develop and promote programs aimed at enhancing the patient-provider relationship and overall patient experience. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Conditions of Employment
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.
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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/.
How You Will Be Evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
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. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest.
The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care."
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/26/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12891197. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Upload full resume/CV (no page limit) Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter License Upload full resume/CV (no page limit) Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript