Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Help observe patient safety standards during all dental treatment.

Record the patient's vital signs before and after treatment, especially minor oral surgery.

Schedule patients for treatment.

Clean and sterilize materials, instruments, and equipment.

Perform patient counseling on the cause of dental decay, proper oral hygiene practices, brushing and flossing techniques.

Follow required infection control guidelines.

Aid in the training of new dental assistants and students from area community colleges.

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

A Personnel Security Investigation is required.

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.

Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.

This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing.

Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.

Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.

A pre-placement medical examination is required.

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.

Basic Requirement for Dental Assistant : 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below :

Experience required : To qualify based on your experience, your resume must describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience is defined as : performing intra-oral procedures, operating dental x-ray equipment, and charting.

Education : Successful completion of at least 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 Experience and Education : 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%.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.

One year trial / probationary period may be required.

Direct Deposit of Pay is required.

Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.

Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.

If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.

Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.