Dental Assistant

Summary

Work or learn to work closely with patients and dentists. Assist in care of patient's teeth, recordkeeping, appointment scheduling, taking x-rays.

We are accepting applications year-round with eligible applicants being placed on a standing register and referred for consideration as vacancies occur with referral at multiple grade levels and locations. Referral is based on the date management request is received.

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Duties

Duties At The Grade GS-02 Level:

• Assist higher grade dental assistants in accomplishing dent.al support work and comparable activities in order to gain the knowledge, skills and experiences required for performance at the next grade level.
  
  

Duties at grades GS-03 and GS-04 level:

• Acts as receptionist and schedule patients for treatment.
• Responsible for accurate recording of examination information and treatment performed.
• Keep all instruments sharpened and properly sterilized.
• Responsible for routine chair-side assisting. Expose, process, and mount intra and extra-oral radiographs.
  
  

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary 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 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

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/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

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.

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. See Required Documents Section for additional information on what to submit to support your resume.

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.

Individual Occupational Requirements: These standards describe the minimum qualification requirements (for example, educational, medical, age, experience, etc.) for each occupational series. Individual Occupational Requirements for basic education, license, experience, and other qualifications for the Dentist Assistant occupational series are listed below.

CERTIFICATION TO ADMINISTER RADIOLOGIC PROCEDURES

Public Law 97-35 Requires That Persons Who Administer Radiologic Procedures Meet The Credentialing Standards In 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, Persons 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 (basic) Requirements:

• 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.
• 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.
  
  

Specialized Experience: (for positions at GS-4 and above): Experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled. OR

Education And Training:

• For GS-3: 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.
• For GS-4: 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.
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR GS-02 GRADE:

• Three (3) months of general experience. OR
• Successful completion a high school education or equivalent.
  
  

General Experience: No subject-matter knowledge is required but any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position. Such as; performing record keeping, sorts and counts, files and retrieves records alphabetically and numerically, and observes higher grade dental assistants in the performance of chair side assisting duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR GS-03 GRADE:

• Your resume must demonstrate possession at least six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position, Examples of general experience include dental office assistant, dental office clerk or dental office receptionist. 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 to qualify for this GS-3 grade level.
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR GS-04 GRADE:

• Your resume must demonstrate (1) one year of experience: At least 6 months of general experience that demonstrates the ability to perform or a familiarity with patient scheduling; and dental terminology to ensure accurate recording of dental treatment. And At least 6 months of specialized experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled. OR
• A combination of experience and post-high school education. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position.
  
  

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the cut-off date or the closing date of the announcement. Cut-off date(s) are established based on the date the human resources office receives management request for a list of eligibles or every 10 days thereafter. The job announcement is open continuous until the closing date.

Education

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable

Additional information

Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit at the following locations: Western Oregon Service Unit and Yakima Service Unit

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-04 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

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• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Portland Area Indian Health Service

1414 NW Northrup Street Suite 800

Portland, OR 97209

US