Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Help Observe patient safety standards during all dental treatment.

Help Relay the dentist's instructions to patient for post-treatment care.

Help Operate dental X-Ray equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs.

Help Maintain a variety of recurring reports related to dental activities.

Help Clean and sterilize materials, instruments, and equipment.

Help Follow required infection control guidelines.

Requirements Help Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.

This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.

This position has a requirement to lift up to 20 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.

This position requires Basic Life Support training certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Current Advanced Life Support or other advanced certification does not supersede BLS completion.

This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.

Qualifications Who May Apply : US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and / or experience 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 : (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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below : Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes performing the following : 1) assisting dentists with inter-oral procedures, 2) discussing oral hygiene practices with patients, AND 3) conducting x-rays or impressions. 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. (Note : You must attach a copy of your transcripts). 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. (Note : You must attach a copy of your transcripts).