The Dental Assistant positions are located within the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service, there may not be immediate vacancies at all duty locations. The primary function of these positions is to perform the broad range of preventive and clinical dental assisting functions. This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) allows acceptance of applications throughout the year, with eligible applicants being placed on the OCA register and referred for consideration when vacancies occur.
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 and other organizations. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Dental Assistant Series 0681 (opm.gov) Your resume must demonstrate the requirements of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks GS-02: Three (3) months of general experience that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position; or experience as a trainee, performing a variety of record-keeping and clinic maintenance duties. OR completed a high school education GS-03: Six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position; or I have experience as a trainee, performing a variety of record-keeping and clinic maintenance duties. OR Completed a 1-year dental assistant 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 successfully 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 Combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent. GS-04: Six (6) months of general experience AND 6 months of specialized experience. Specialized experience include: Clean, polish and oil equipment. Clean and sharpen instruments; sterilize instruments using autoclave and dryclave techniques. Prepare sterile trays, packs, sutures, etc. Schedule and route patients for services as required. Requisitions work from dental laboratory. Receive and prepare patients for treatment such as routine restoration. OR successfully completed a 2-year dental assistant program or completed a 2-year dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation which included at least 12 semester hours of courses such as 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 have 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. GS-05: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Record information related to medical history of patient; when required route patient for medical tests and services. Chart examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist on patient records. Record information as directed by dentist on prescriptions and a variety of forms related to dental care. Prepare, arrange all instruments and materials needed for each treatment. OR successfully completed a full 4 year course of study in dental assistant or dental hygiene which included at least 24 semester hours in courses such as 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 have 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. GS-06: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: maintain supply levels and cleanliness of dental station; sterilize instruments, materials, equipment. Assist patient in completing medical history statements. Record examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist. Instruct patient in preventive dental care; demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques and use of disclosing tablets; explain the common cause of decay and its relationship to general diet. OR completed 6 months (9 semester hours) of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. OR have 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-6 grade level. Special Requirements for GS-5/6 Dental Assistant (Expanded Function)One year of acceptable course work, preceptorship, or other formal training and/or work assignments that included knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures involved in the position to be filled. Courses in a dental hygiene or dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that are directly related to the intra-oral procedures (also referred to as expanded functions) that are to be performed in the position to be filled. U.S. Army's Dental Therapy Assistant Training Program. Continuing education courses in expanded functions for dental assistants offered by the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. Other training comparable to the above in private or governmental hospitals, clinics, or schools that included formal classroom instruction and clinical training in the knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures in the position to be filled. 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: (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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the cut-off date of the announcement.
Performs chair side assistant duties in all phases of restorative, prosthodontic, surgical, endodontic, and periodontal treatment as provided in general dentistry. Prepares operatives for patient care and prepares patients for treatment. Educates patients in brushing and flossing techniques, care of prosthodontics appliances, and common causes of tooth decay. Provides post-treatment instructions to patient as outlined by dentist. Provides routine maintenance on dental equipment and instruments. Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments, equipment and surfaces. Prepares sterile trays, packs, sutures, etc. Properly stores and maintains adequate supplies for the dental department. Utilizes computerized dental patient records systems for scheduling, dental record charting and making/completing dental progress notes while complying with medical release and privacy requirements.