This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19. This position is located in the Dental section in one of the various Indian Health Service facilities at Pine Ridge Service Unit. 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. In addition, the incumbent has clinic maintenance and record keeping responsibilities.

Duties

Under the direct supervision* of a licensed provider, the dental assistant assists the dentist or dental hygienist to perform all preventive, periodontal, restorative, pediatric, endodontic, surgical, prosthetic, and operating room dentistry procedures. Provide advanced (complex) reversible restorative procedures on teeth that have been prepared by the dentist. Proper cleaning and disinfection of the dental chair, dental operating unit and operatory surfaces including surgical operating room surfaces, after its use and prior to subsequent patient treatment to prevent cross-contamination. Participates in the provision of preventive services in community-based prevention programs sponsored by the dental program. Performs routinely scheduled collateral maintenance and monitoring duties of clinic equipment and facilities as assigned.

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): In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Individual Occupational Requirements: 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 dental radiographers. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-02, Dental Assistant Select one response below that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-02 level. At least 3-months of general experience that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position; or I have experience as a trainee, performing a variety of record-keeping and clinic maintenance duties. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-03, Dental Assistant Select one response below that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-03 level. At least 6-months of general experience that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-04, Dental Assistant Select one response that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-04. At least 6 months of general experience AND 6 months of specialized experience. Specialized experience 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-05, Dental Assistant Select one response that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-05. 1 year of specialized experience that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This specialized experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-06, Dental Assistant: Select one response below that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-06 level. Select only one response and do not leave blank. NOTE: Your specialized experience may have been experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled. Special Requirements for GS-5 and above Dental Assistant (Expanded Function): Have you completed 1 year of acceptable course work, preceptorship, or other formal training and/or work assignments specifically designed to equip the applicant 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. 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

There are no education requirements.

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 Pine Ridge Service Unit PO Box 1201 E Hwy 18 Pine Ridge, SD 57770 US
• Name: Rhawni Bruce
• Phone: 6052267282
• Email: [email protected]