Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Defense; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider seeks a Dental Assistant at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. The role involves supporting dental specialists through chairside assistance, operating x-ray equipment, and preparing surgical trays. Candidates must provide evidence of fitness for federal service, including required certifications and immunizations.

Qualifications

• Radiology certification required.
• Experience in providing chairside assistance in dental procedures.
• Education in radiation physics and safety is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform inter-oral procedures as directed by dentist.
• Operate dental x-ray equipment to take radiographs.
• Instruct patients on dental care techniques.

Skills

Chairside assistance

Operating dental x-ray equipment

Sterilizing dental instruments

Education

Completion of accredited dental assistant program

Job description

About the Position: This position is located at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

• Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation
Duties

• Perform inter-oral procedures as direct by dentist.
• Operate dental x-ray equipment to take intra- and extra-oral radiographs.
• Sterilize dental instruments, materials, equipment and prepare surgical trays.
• Instruct patient on proper dental techniques, care of appliances, and causes of dental decay.
• Aid in training of trainee dental assistants and students.
• Schedules patients for treatment.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is 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.
• A pre-placement medical examination is required.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 20 pounds is required.
• 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

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.

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. 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 providing chair side assistance supporting a dental specialist, such as performing intra-oral procedures, charting, and operating dental x-ray equipment. 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.

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.