Dental Assistant (EF)

Full Job Description

Join the Indian Health Service dental team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native patients.

As an Expanded Functions (EF) Dental Assistant, you will work alongside dental providers in a collaborative environment dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality oral health care.

We encourage applicants who value service, cultural respect, and professional excellence to apply.

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

Essentially, they 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 requirements: (1) 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.

(2) 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 the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Special Requirements for GS-5 and above Dental Assistant (Expanded Function): Applicants for Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) positions must have completed 1 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.

GS-05: 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 the for GS-3, or 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: Providing chairside assistance during dental procedures; performing simple alloy and composite restorations that do not require pin retention or cusp replacement; placing and contouring temporary restorations; placing pit and fissure sealants; performing oral prophylaxis using ultrasonic scaling to remove visible calculus; applying topical fluoride; taking and processing digital intra-oral radiographs; taking and recording vital signs; collecting patient history and assisting with medication reconciliation; performing routine dental laboratory procedures; providing post-treatment instructions and oral health education; maintaining dental instruments and equipment; and following established infection control, sterilization, and safety protocols.

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 by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration. Major Duties:

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Dental Assistant Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations.

Performs simple alloy and composite restorations that do not require pin retention or cusp replacement.

Places and finishes simple composite restorations, temporary restorations, pit and fissure sealants, and applies desensitizing agents.

Cements stainless steel crowns and space maintainers at the direction of the dentist. Performs oral prophylaxis, including ultrasonic scaling to remove visible calculus, and applies topical fluoride.

Takes intra-oral radiographs, records vital signs, collects patient history, and assists with medication reconciliation.

Performs routine dental laboratory procedures (e.g., pouring and trimming models, fabricating custom trays and wax rims). Provides post-treatment instructions and basic oral health education.

Maintains clinic readiness through supply management, equipment care, sterilization, and infection control. Work is closely reviewed by the dentist for accuracy and completeness.