This position is for a Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) under the Dental Services Department at the Tohatchi Health Center, in Tohatchi, New Mexico.

Duties

Charts and records dental examination accurately as dictaed by the dentist using the IHS codes. Relays to patient post-treatment instructions from dentist. Takes and completes processing of exposed radiographs and marks them with identifying information. Observes hiring grade dental assistants providing chairside assisting using aseptic techniques. Assists during routine examination, general dentistry, and limited specialities such as: routine (simple) extraction, endodontics, peridontics, and prosthetics. Sets out dental equipment, dental materials, dental radiographs needed for treatment. Cleans instructions, prepare for sterilization using autoclave, properly stores sterilized instrument, cleans oil/conditions dental hand pieces, and prepare for sterilization. Properly handles and disposes of chemical amalgam scraps exposed x-ray films, lead films, and infectious waste, sharps. Uses personal protective equipment when necessary. Observes higher graded assistants or dentist constantly acting as preceptor.

Requirements

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): Individual Occupational Requirements 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: 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 the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-02 Grade Level: Your resume must demonstrate 3 months of general experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position; OR Successful completion of High school graduation or equivalent. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Tohatchi Health Center 07 Choosgahi Drive P O Box 142 Tohatchi, NM 87325 US
• Name: Navajo Area IHS Human Resources
• Email: [email protected]