Dental Assistant

U.S. Department of Defense; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Defense is seeking a Dental Assistant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The position involves assisting dentists in various procedures, patient counseling, and maintaining patient records. Candidates must meet specific education or experience requirements, including BLS certification and specialized training in dental radiography.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience in dental assisting.
• Education including at least 24 hours in radiation topics.
• Must have Basic Life Support certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentist by performing intra-oral procedures and charting.
• Take and record patient vital signs.
• Counsel patients on oral hygiene practices.

Skills

Patient counseling

Charting

Intra-oral procedures

Radiology

Education

Completion of dental assistant or hygiene program

Radiation physics courses

Job description

About the Position: These positions are located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Multiple vacancies exist and may be filled from this announcement at any of the locations listed. We accept applications on an ongoing basis; qualified applicants will be considered as vacancies become available.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.
Duties

• Perform the following procedures required for patient treatment; take preliminary impressions for study models, remove sutures, place and remove rubber dams, perio-packs, matrix bands, and wedges.
• Record the patient's vital signs before and after treatment, especially minor oral surgery.
• Perform patient counseling on the cause of dental decay, proper oral hygiene practices, brushing and flossing techniques
• Chart examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist to patient records.
• Demonstrate proper techniques and dexterity in passing instruments and materials to and from the dentist; keep area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip, and irrigation; and retract tissue, tongue and cheek.
• Assist dentist at chair side all phases of restorative dentistry to included surgical assisting for minor oral surgery, endodontic, or periodontics surgical procedures.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• This position requires a pre-employment medical examination.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 15 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
• Selectees may be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.

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 providing chair side assistance supporting a dental specialist by 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.