Dental Assistant (Expanded Functions)

Company:  US Department of Health and Human Services
Location: Toppenish
Closing Date: 02/11/2024
Hours: Full Time
Type: Permanent
Job Requirements / Description

Summary

Perform expanded functions such as applying sealants, taking impressions, performing coronal polishing, applying topical anesthetic or applying topical fluoride. Work includes assisting in care of patient's teeth & gums and 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.

Duties
  • Provide routine prophylaxis and topical fluoride treatments.
  • Carving and polishing routine and complex alloy restorations.
  • Takes preliminary impressions.
  • Places and contours restorations, fabricates.
  • Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
  • Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
  • Sterilize dental instruments
  • Hand instruments to dentists during procedures
  • Dry patients' mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
  • Process x rays and complete lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist
  • Keep records of dental treatments
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 .
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.
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 Dental Assistant occupational series are listed below.
Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75.
  • Persons must 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
  • Persons must be certified as radiographers in their field.
The following meet these 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.
All applicants, however, must meet the requirements below:
Specialized Experience (for GS-4 and above): Experience in dental assistance or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded functions) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled.
or
Education and Education and Training (for GS-5): 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-3 (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).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for GS-05:
  • Your resume must demonstrate you possess 1 (one) year of Specialized Experience. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
  • Examples include advanced duties under a dentist such as restorative fillings expanded functions duties, cleaning or surgical expanded function duties. Other examples include monitor nitrous oxide, take x-rays; coronal polishing; apply sealants, place and carve restoratives; take final impressions under close supervision, apply sealants and fluoride 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 a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for GS-06
  • Your resume must demonstrate you possess 1 year of Specialized Experience. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
  • Examples Include: advanced duties under a dentist such as restorative fillings expanded functions duties, cleaning or surgical expanded function duties. Other examples include monitor nitrous oxide, take x-rays; coronal polishing; apply sealants, place and carve restoratives; take final impressions under close supervision, apply sealants and fluoride.
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.How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your qualifications will be conducted to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualifie d. Within each of these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-preference eligibles.
Please note that if, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your category rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions will be evaluated against the duties you provided in your resume, along with your submitted documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following.

  • Dental Instrument Application
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Medical Documentation
  • Technical Competence

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: . CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
  • Veterans, i.e. (VEOA, VRA, and 30% or more disabled) -
  • Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) -
  • Interagency Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) -
  • Schedule A Appointments for the Disabled -
Click here to view vacancy questions: . All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the cut-off date or the closing date of the job announcement to be considered. Cut-off date(s) are established based on the date the human resources office receives management request for a list of eligible or every 10 days thereafter. Required Documents

Resume : You are highly encouraged to use to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.

If you use your own resume , curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes:

  • beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience,
  • hours worked per week,
  • month and year of employment for each job title listed,
  • description of job duties.
  • Include name and address of employer, supervisor name and telephone number.
Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
Indian Preference Applicants : If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: . When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
Veterans Preference : If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy). To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application () along with the appropriate supporting documentation. For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: .
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) : If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: .
Transcripts : You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the cut off date or the closing date of the job 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.
The first Cut-off date for receipt/referral of applications to be considered for available vacant positions will be 10 days after the JOA (Job Opportunity Announcement) open date.
DOCUMENT RETENTION PERIOD (DE): Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for three months and may be used at any time during this period. After 3 months, you must reapply to this announcement in order to be considered. PDN-9b64da92-4065-43f0-b0fd-cf9830859838
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US Department of Health and Human Services
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