Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Defense; Hinesville (GA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Defense is seeking qualified dental assistants for positions at Fort Stewart or Hunter AFB in Georgia. The roles involve providing chairside support, managing x-ray equipment, and instructing patients. Candidates must meet certain qualifications, including specialized experience and certification in radiological procedures.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Federal employee retirement

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience as a dental assistant.
• Completed a program including radiation physics and dental techniques.
• Must submit transcript & certifications.

Responsibilities

• Perform intra-oral procedures as directed by the dentist.
• Instruct patients in dental care and techniques.
• Maintain dental equipment and manage patient records.

Skills

Chairside support

Radiology procedures

Patient instruction

Education

Dental assistant or dental hygiene program

Tools

Dental x-ray equipment

Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: These positions can be located at Fort Stewart or Hunter AFB GA.

This is an open continuous announcement. Multiple vacancies exist and may be filled from this announcement at any of the locations listed.
Duties

• Perform inter-oral procedures as directed by dentist.
• Instruct patient in proper dental techniques, care of appliances, and causes of dental decay.
• Retrieve digital images and/or develop and finish film.
• Obtain and record related medical history of patient.
• Pour and trim models from impressions and construct custom impression trays.
• Maintain dental equipment in a clean and operative condition.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation may be 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 and annually thereafter.
• Moderate to heavy lifting 20 to 40 pounds may be 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.
• Travel may be required: Up to 5% Business Travel may be required.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements.
• May be required to wear Personnel Protective Equipment.
• This position has been designated “Mission Essential”. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent may be required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.

Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and 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: (MUST submit a copy of your certifications with your application package)

(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 by performing intra-oral procedures, operating dental x-ray equipment, and charting. 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. (MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible.

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. (MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible).