Dental Assistant

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): https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/dental-assistant-series-0681/ In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECH GS-02: Three (3) Months of General Experience and/or High School Graduation or equivalent. GS-03: Six (6) Months of General Experience and/or 1 year above high school with course(s) related to the occupation. GS-04: Six (6) Months of General Experience and 6 Months Specialized Experience and/or 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation. Specialized experience for the GS-04 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. GS-05: 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least GS-4 and/or 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses related to the occupation. Specialized experience for the GS-05 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. GS-06: 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Specialized experience for the GS-06 include: Maintain supply levels and cleanliness of dental station; sterilize instruments, materials and equipment. Assist patient in completing medical history statements. Record examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist. Instruct patient in preventive dental care: demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques and use of disclosing tablets; explain the common cause of decay and its relationship to general diet. Take preliminary impressions for study models and modify impression trays as needed. Pour and trim models from impressions. Construct custom impression trays. Restore teeth prepared by dentist; place cavity bases and liners on prepared tooth; place matrix bands and wedges when required; place, condense, carve and finish simple amalgam restorations, such as those not requiring retentive pins or cusp replacement; places, compress and finish synthetic single-surface anterior restorations; place and contour temporary restorations. Apply rubber dam and place cotton rolls to isolate operative site. As directed by dentist remove sutures, apply topical anesthesia, desensitizing agents, medication and surgical gauze following extractions, apply and remove periodontal dressings. Expose and develop intra- and extra-oral radiographs. Provide chairside assistance, anticipating dentist’s need for various instruments, materials and services. Place pit and fissure sealants. Specialized Experience Defined –Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements. OPEN UNTIL FILLED: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED. IT MAY BE EXTENDED OR CLOSED PRIOR TO THE CURRENT CLOSING DATE. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 EST TUESDAY TO BE CONSIDERED, FIRST CUT OFF DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 09/03/2024 AND EVERY TUESDAY THERE AFTER. 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.
This position will support the Federal Governments response efforts to COVID-19. This position is located at the White Earth Service Unit, White Earth, MN. 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, and to support the dental team by performing a range of clinical functions. This position reports to the Chief Dental Officer.