Dentist

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care you will operate in a model with three core elements seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

This position is located in the Dental Service which is aligned under the Surgical/Specialty Care Service Line.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Staff dentist is to provide restorative endodontic periodontal removable and fixed prosthodontic including implant restorative and minor oral surgery procedures. The staff dentist is responsible for seeing patients in consultation in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Other duties include responding to patient telephone calls informing patient of test/lab results renewing medication prescriptions giving telephone or e-mail advice to other providers attending mandatory and suggested hospital meetings training for and performing compensation and pension examination and administrative duties as assigned.

• On-call responsibilities are shared among the dentists.
• The incumbent is responsible for entering accurate complete timely progress notes for each episode of care in the patients electronic record. This is accomplished by utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Dental Record Manager Plus (DRM).
• The incumbent is responsible for the proper use maintenance and calibration of specialized equipment used in the assessment and care of patients.
• The incumbent adheres to safety health and infection control standards regulations and works practices as well as ergonomic standards. He/she reports any unsafe conditions to supervisory and/or appropriate officials.
• The incumbent will assist in orientation of new staff and will provide patient and family education including informed consent utilizing iMed Consent.
• The incumbent may assist with educating affiliated dental assistant and hygiene students. The incumbent maintains supplies equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency.
• The incumbent provides assessment including on-unit assessment of CLC (Community Living Center) patients. - Assesses patient to determine if additional treatment in dental clinic is necessary - Records dental assessment in the computerized patient record system (CPRS) to meet service line agreement requirements for CLC patients.
• The incumbent demonstrates knowledge and maintains standards in the use and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). The staff dentist is expected to participate in performance improvement activities disaster preparedness administrative duties attending mandatory and suggested hospital meetings and other responsibilities assigned by the Chief Dental Service.

STANDARD OF CARE: The staff dentist is to practice in accordance with VA guidelines; Fargo Health Care System policies/procedures; medical staff bylaws rules and regulations; and in accordance with current Joint Commission standards.

PRACTICE: The incumbent considers age of the patient when performing health care as it relates to functional capacity/limitations ability to understand and follow directions provide objective self assessment of past medical/dental condition and treatment appropriate to the overall treatment goals and plans. The incumbent possesses knowledge of growth and development can assess and interpret age-related data and is able to communicate based on age related issues.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 evaluation/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.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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.

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: 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: