Dental Assistant

Summary

The position is located at Kayenta Service Unit within the Indian Health Service (IHS). The purpose of this full performance position is to support the dental team by performing dental assistant duties. This position allows the dental team to smoothly function and better serve the intended population. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

["Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Dental Assistant Total Compensation Provides chairside assistance during routine dental procedures, including instrument setup and support for patient treatment. Performs specified clinical procedures such as preliminary impressions, suture removal, rubber dam placement/removal, coronal polishing, topical fluoride application, and placement of pit and fissure sealants under appropriate supervision. Takes and records blood pressure, collects patient history, and accurately exposes, mounts, and stores intra- and extra-oral digital radiographs. Cleans, disinfects, packages, sterilizes, and stores dental instruments and equipment while maintaining the clinic according to infection-control requirements. Provides patient and clinical support by scheduling and seating patients, recording treatment, communicating post-treatment and home-care instructions, and participating in quality improvement and community outreach activities."]

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (l) have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements: In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. (1) Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a Doctor of Medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others. (2) Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence, as determined by OPM or the employing agency. All applicants, however, must meet the requirements below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: General Experience: (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. GS-02: Your resume must demonstrate at least three (3) months of general experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position or a familiarity with customer service, record keeping and clinic maintenance duties OR High School Graduate or equivalent. GS-03 Your resume must demonstrate at least six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position or a familiarity with customer service, record keeping and clinic maintenance duties OR successful completion of (a) a 1-year dental assistant program or completed 1 year of a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included a course in radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality, radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting; or (b) practical nurse training approved by the appropriate State, territory, or District of Columbia accrediting body; OR a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-3 grade level. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.