Dental Assistant / Dental Assistant (Expanded Function)

* Videos Videos * Duties Help Duties Summary This is an Open Continuous Announcement that allows acceptance of applications with eligible applicants being placed on the register and referred for consideration until the current vacancies are filled. The Dental Assistant/Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) positions are located in the Dental Department at the Yakama Service Unit Dental Clinic in Toppenish, WA and White Swan Dental Clinic in White Swan, WA. Learn more about this agency Responsibilities The purpose of this position is to provide chair side assistance in oral surgical procedures, general dentistry, x-ray, record keeping and clinical maintenance. The Dental Assistant will perform the following duties: * Receive and prepare patients for dental treatments. * Prepare materials and equipment for use by the Dentist. * Maintain records related to appointments, examinations, treatment, and supplies. * Perform chairside assistance and placement of sealants and varnish. * Relays to patient instructions from dentist for post-treatment care. * Perform radiological procedures (GS-3 and above). Travel Required Not required Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 5 – Promotion to the next grade level is at management’s discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties. It is not guaranteed. * Job family (Series) 0681 Dental Assistant Similar jobs * Assistants, Dental * Dental Assistants * Requirements Help Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957. Seasonal Influenza immunization is required for civilian health care facility staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Fingerprinting, as part of the background investigation process, may be delayed due to COVID-19. All other background investigation procedures will apply. Be advised that your continued employment will require you to complete a fingerprint check within 60 days after notification of return to full operations and successfully obtaining a favorable background investigation. 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): Radiological Certification Requirements for GS-3, GS-4 and GS-5 Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards, which are set forth in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (1) have successfully completed an educational program which meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is credited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements: * Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiological 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 radiological procedures to others. * Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiological personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction which did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State of foreign jurisdiction which did not license that particular field or which did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided that such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence, as determined by OPM or the employing agency. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: For GS-2: Your resume must demonstrate at least 3 months of general experience that shows 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 For GS-3: Your resume must demonstrate at least 6 months of general experience that shows 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 completion of l 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 experience and education. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. For GS-4: Your resume must demonstrate at least six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience performing the following type of work and/or tasks: 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. Receive and prepare patients for treatment. Lay out instruments and materials needed for treatment. Provide chair side assistance during oral examinations and restorative treatments. Relay to patient post-treatment instructions from dentist. Operate dental X-ray equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs; develop and finish film; OR Successful completion of a 2-year dental assistant program or completion of a 2-year dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Accreditation that included at least 12 semester hours of courses such as those shown above for GS-3; OR A combination of experience and education. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. For GS-5: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 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; route patients for medical services. 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. Record information as directed by dentist on prescriptions and a variety of forms related to dental care. Prepare, arrange all instruments and materials needed treatment; prepare patient and operatory. Maintain aseptic condition, stabilize tissue for dentist and cut sutures. Keep alert to condition of patient during treatment for signs of fainting, shock, or other distress. Pour and trim models from impressions; construct custom impression trays, base plates and bite rims; OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in a dental assistant or dental hygiene program that included at least 24 semester hours in courses as shown above for GS-03. Special Requirements for GS-5 and above Dental Assistant (Expanded Function): Applicants for Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) positions must have completed l year of acceptable course work, preceptorship, or other formal training and/or work assignments specifically designed to equip them with knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures involved in the position to be filled. Examples of acceptable training are: * 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. 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 or within 30 days of being selected for the position. Education There are no education requirements. When you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, transcripts (unofficial) are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.