Job Information
Indian Health Service Dental Assistant in White Earth, Minnesota
Summary This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19. This position is located at the White Earth Service Unit, White Earth, MN. The purpose of this position is to perform chair side assistant duties in all phases of restorative, prosthodontic, surgical, endodontic and periodontal treatment as provided in general dentistry, and to support the dental team by performing a range of clinical functions. This position reports to the Chief Dental Officer. Responsibilities Provide chair side assistance during all routine and complex dental procedures. Relays post-treatment instructions to patients. Perform routine laboratory duties, such as preparing materials, disinfecting and sterilizing instruments, and prepare trays set-ups. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. 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. 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): https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/dental-assistant-series-0681/ In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECH GS-02: Three (3) Months of General Experience and/or High School Graduation or equivalent. GS-03: Six (6) Months of General Experience and/or 1 year above high school with course(s) related to the occupation. GS-04: Six (6) Months of General Experience and 6 Months Specialized Experience and/or 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. Specialized experience for the GS-04 include: Maintain equipment. Clean and sharpen instruments; sterilize instruments. 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 chairside assistance during oral examinations and restorative treatments. Operate suction tip to keep area of operation clear. Retract tissue, cheek and tongue. Relay to patient post-treatment instructions from dentist. GS-05: 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least GS-4 and/or 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. Specialized experience for the GS-05 include: Receive patients and schedules appointments. Record information related to medical history of patient. 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 and arrange all instruments and materials needed for each treatment. Prepare patient and operatory. Assist dentist at chair side in all phases of general dentistry. Pass instruments and materials to and retrieve them from the dentist. Keep area of operation clear using high-speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation. Retract tissue, tongue and cheek. In surgical procedures 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. Relay to patient instructions from dentist for post-treatment care. Operate dental X-ray equipment to take radiographs. GS-06: 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Specialized experience for the GS-06 include: Maintain supply levels and cleanliness of dental station; sterilize instruments, materials and 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. Take preliminary impressions for study models and modify impression trays as needed. Pour and trim models from impressions. Construct custom impression trays. Restore teeth prepared by dentist; place cavity bases and liners on prepared tooth; place matrix bands and wedges when required; place, condense, carve and finish simple amalgam restorations, such as those not requiring retentive pins or cusp replacement; places, compress and finish synthetic single-surface anterior restorations; place and contour temporary restorations. Apply rubber dam and place cotton rolls to isolate operative site. As directed by dentist remove sutures, apply topical anesthesia, desensitizing agents, medication and surgical gauze following extractions, apply and remove periodontal dressings. Expose and develop intra- and extra-oral radiographs. Provide chairside assistance, anticipating dentist's need for various instruments, materials and services. Place pit and fissure sealants. Specialized Experience Defined --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 position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements. OPEN UNTIL FILLED: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED. IT MAY BE EXTENDED OR CLOSED PRIOR TO THE CURRENT CLOSING DATE. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 EST TUESDAY TO BE CONSIDERED, FIRST CUT OFF DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 09/03/2024 AND EVERY TUESDAY THERE AFTER. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education There are no education requirements. 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. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required. The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - https://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps This position has promotion potential to the GS-06 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.