Dental Assistant (EF)

Indian Health Service; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service is seeking an experienced Expanded Function Dental Assistant to support dental care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities at an IHS facility in Nevada. The role covers chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, and patient education to deliver high-quality care.

The candidate will perform a range of intra‑oral procedures, manage supplies and records, and assist in restorative techniques as part of a culturally respectful care team.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience as dental assistant or related role.
• Completion of a full 4-year dental assistant or dental hygiene program with radiation coursework.
• Combination of education and experience meeting all qualification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentist chairside and anticipate instrument needs.
• Perform intra-oral procedures and sealants under supervision.
• Prepare materials, equipment, and records for treatments.
• Perform radiographic procedures and related lab duties.
• Greet patients and maintain treatment records and appointments.

Skills

Chairside assisting

Intra-oral radiographs

Infection control

Patient education

Education

Dental assistant program

Dental hygiene program

Job description

Summary

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most! Join the Indian Health Service as an experienced Expanded Function Dental Assistant. Use your expertise in chairside assisting, restorative procedures, radiography, infection control, and patient education to deliver culturally respectful, high‑quality care while improving oral health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

• Restores teeth after preparation has been accomplished.
• Provides chairside assisting and fully anticipates dentist's need for various instruments, materials, and service. Prepares materials and equipment for use by the Dentist.
• Performs a variety of intra‑oral procedures such as oral prophylaxis, operates cavitron, applies pit and fissure sealants, removes temporary fillings, and cements stainless steel crowns.
• Performs radiological procedures and performs dental laboratory procedures: pours and trims models, fabricates custom trays and bite rims, mounts casts on articulator, and pours final impressions.
• Receives and prepares patients for dental treatments. Maintains records related to appointments, examinations, treatment, and supplies.

Total Compensation Package

Dental Assistant Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

Requirements

Financial Suitability Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

U.S. Citizenship is required. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Candidates must present two valid forms of identification; if one is a state‑issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID‑compliant. The position is a competitive vacancy under Delegated Examining Authority and will be processed as a new appointment. Successful candidates must pass E‑Verify and set up direct deposit. A federal background investigation is required and must be completed within five (5) calendar days of issuance.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. Timely completion of the required forms is essential to avoid delays or determination of unsuitability.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the specific position. Experience may include paid, unpaid, and volunteer work through National Service programs. The resume must clearly identify duties, responsibilities, and total hours per week.

Basic Requirement(s)

Public Law 97‑35 requires that persons who administer radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards set forth in 42 CFR Part 75. Candidates must be certified as radiographers and meet one of the following:

• Prior employment as radiological personnel before January 13, 1986, with current certification.
• Post‑1986 employment with proof of training, experience, competence, and certification.

Must have a current IHS or state (or foreign jurisdiction) dental radiological health and safety certification of competency.

Minimum Qualifications

GS‑05: Applicants can qualify by:

• Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑04 performing tasks such as chairside assistance, simple alloy and composite restorations, temporary restorations, pit and fissure sealants, oral prophylaxis, topical fluoride, digital intra‑oral radiographs, vital signs, patient history, medication reconciliation, routine lab procedures, post‑treatment instructions, instrument maintenance, and infection control.
• Education: Completed a full 4‑year course of study in dental assistant or dental hygiene program including at least 24 semester hours in radiation physics and related courses.
• Combination of Education and Experience: Meets 100 % of qualification requirements.

GS‑06 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑05 performing advanced duties such as restorative fillings expanded functions, cleaning or surgical expanded functions, nitrous oxide monitoring, x‑rays, coronal polishing, sealant application, restorative placement, final impressions under supervision, and fluoride application.

Special Requirements for GS‑05 and GS‑06 Applicants

Resume must demonstrate completion of one year of coursework, preceptorship, or training specifically designed to equip the applicant with knowledge and skills for intra‑oral procedures in this position.

• Courses in a dental hygiene or dental assistant program accredited by the ADA's Commission on Accreditation related to expanded functions.
• U.S. Army Dental Therapy Assistant Training Program.
• Continuing education courses in expanded functions for dental assistants offered by IHS or comparable training.

Education and Other Information

Applicants should submit transcripts or course lists if substituting education for experience. Only accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are accepted. Foreign education must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may occur within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued.

Benefits

Information about benefits and eligibility is available from the hiring agency.