Dental Assistant

Full Job Description

About the Position: This is a developmental Dental Assistant located at Stone Dental Clinic, Fort Drum. New York. This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.

Salary negotiation is available to those new to Federal employment. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and/or education requirements described below.

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; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Radiology Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75.

Essentially, they must (1) 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: 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-3 General Experience: Six months of general experience (1) in any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with dental office procedures.

OR Education: Successful completion of (1) a one-year dental assistant program or one-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 (2) practical nurse training approved by the appropriate State, territory, or District of Columbia accrediting body.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 6. Then, divide your semester hours of education by 30. Add the two percentages.

GS-4 General and/or Specialized Experience: Six months of general experience (1) in any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with dental office procedures AND six months of specialized experience which includes performing chair-side assistance supporting a dentist, taking preliminary impressions, operating dental x-ray equipment, or preparing surgical trays.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-03).

OR Education: Successful completion of a two-year dental assistant program or completion of a two-year dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included at least 12 semester hours of courses 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: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 60. Add the two percentages.

GS-5 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes providing chair side assistance supporting a dental specialist by performing intra-oral procedures, charting, or taking preliminary impressions and operating dental x-ray equipment.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR Education: Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in a dental assistant or dental hygiene program that included at least 24 semester hours of courses 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: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60.

Add the two percentages.

This position can be filled at any level (GS-3; GS-4; or GS-5) with noncompetitive promotion to the next grade levels are authorized until you reach the full performance level of GS-5; pending time in grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the next higher/target level grade duties.

Major Duties:

• Perform inter-oral procedures such as taking preliminary impressions for study models, remove sutures, and place and remove rubber dams, perio-packs and matrix bands and wedges.
• Instruct patients in proper dental techniques, care of appliances, and causes of dental decay.
• Operate dental X-ray equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs.
• Document medical history of patient and route patient for medical tests and services.
• Maintain dental equipment in a clean and operative condition.