- Position Title
- Dental Assistant (Expanded Functions)
- Agency
- Indian Health Service
- Announcement Number
- IHS-25-WR-12667169-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, January 16, 2025 to Wednesday, December 31, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy AND
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
3.
Are you a recipient of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) Health Profession Scholarship authorized under Public Law 94-437?
If yes, confirm:
If yes, confirm:
- You have completed or will be completing the requirements of the approved health profession program within the established timeframe
- Meet all eligibility criteria
- Entitled to a one-time priority referral/selection to fulfill their obligation to provide public service
4.
Are you an American Indian/Alaska Native who is enrolled in a federally recognized tribe as defined by the Secretary of Interior? The Indian Health Service gives qualified American Indian/Alaska Natives preference when filling vacancies in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472), with approved exceptions.
If eligible, submit a copy of your Bureau of Indian Affairs Form 4432, "Verification of Indian preference for employment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service," that has been completed by authorized tribal or BIA Officials. For more information, review the IHS Indian Preference guidelines: http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/permanentDocs/indianpreference.pdf.
If eligible, submit a copy of your Bureau of Indian Affairs Form 4432, "Verification of Indian preference for employment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service," that has been completed by authorized tribal or BIA Officials. For more information, review the IHS Indian Preference guidelines: http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/permanentDocs/indianpreference.pdf.
5.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
If yes, confirm:
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
6.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?
If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
7.
Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee: In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment.
A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.
A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
3.
Full Time Availability - 40 hours per week
4.
Full Time Availability
5.
Are you applying for permanent or temporary position?
6.
This position is covered by Public Law 101-630, the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (25 United States Code Chapter 34) requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this law, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been arrested for or charged with certain crimes involving a child. Responding yes to this question can make you ineligible for employment in this position. You will be contacted if additional information is required. Have you ever been arrested for or charged with a crime involving a child?
7.
This position is covered by Public Law 101-630, the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (25 United States Code Chapter 34) requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this law, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes against persons or offenses committed against children. Responding yes to this question makes you ineligible for employment in this position. You will be contacted if additional information is required. Have you ever been found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) or guilty to, any felonious offense, or any two or more misdemeanor offenses under federal, state, or tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution; or crimes against persons; or offenses committed against children?
8.
I certify that (1) my responses to questions one and two are made under penalty of perjury, which is punishable by fine under title 18 of the United States Code, or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both; and (2) I have received notice that a criminal check will be conducted. I understand my right to obtain a copy of any criminal history report made available to the Indian Health Service and my right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any information contained in the report.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Dental Assistant (Expanded Functions) position with the Indian Health Service.
We will evaluate your resume and your responses to this Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit this questionnaire.
SECTION I. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND FACTORS.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Individual Occupational Requirements
Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (l) 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 dental radiographers. Do you meet the above requirement?
Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (l) 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 dental radiographers. Do you meet the above requirement?
2.
Special Requirements for GS-5 and above Dental Assistant (Expanded Function)
Have you completed 1 year of acceptable course work, preceptorship, or other formal training and/or work assignments specifically designed to equip the applicant with knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures involved in the position to be filled?
Examples of acceptable training are:
-Courses in a dental hygiene or dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that are directly related to the intra-oral procedures (also referred to as expanded functions) that are to be performed in the position to be filled.
-U.S. Army's Dental Therapy Assistant Training Program.
-Continuing education courses in expanded functions for dental assistants offered by the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.
-Other training comparable to the above in private or governmental hospitals, clinics, or schools that included formal classroom instruction and clinical training in the knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures in the position to be filled.
Have you completed 1 year of acceptable course work, preceptorship, or other formal training and/or work assignments specifically designed to equip the applicant with knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures involved in the position to be filled?
Examples of acceptable training are:
-Courses in a dental hygiene or dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that are directly related to the intra-oral procedures (also referred to as expanded functions) that are to be performed in the position to be filled.
-U.S. Army's Dental Therapy Assistant Training Program.
-Continuing education courses in expanded functions for dental assistants offered by the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.
-Other training comparable to the above in private or governmental hospitals, clinics, or schools that included formal classroom instruction and clinical training in the knowledge and skills required to perform intra-oral procedures in the position to be filled.
3.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-05, Dental Assistant
Select one response that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-05. Select only one response and do not leave blank. NOTE: Your specialized experience may have been experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled.
Select one response that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-05. Select only one response and do not leave blank. NOTE: Your specialized experience may have been experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled.
4.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-06, Dental Assistant
Select one response below that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-06 level. Select only one response and do not leave blank. NOTE: Your specialized experience may have been experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled.
Select one response below that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-06 level. Select only one response and do not leave blank. NOTE: Your specialized experience may have been experience in dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position being filled.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
5.
Assist patients in reception, routing, and scheduling of appointments.
6.
Collect information to assist the dentist in the triage of patients.
7.
Providing education to patients about the processes of dental caries and periodontal disease.
8.
Providing instructions to patients about brushing and flossing care.
9.
Cement space maintainers and/or stainless steel crowns.
10.
Conduct dental cleaning and removal of supragingivial calculus, as instructed by a licensed provider.
11.
Perform routine restoration of teeth with alloy and composite materials.
12.
Performs routine dental laboratory procedures, including pouring and trimming models, constructing custom trays, fabricating base plates and bite rims.
13.
Place pit and fissure sealants.
14.
Assist in restoration of teeth such as inlays, onlays, and crowns, using alloy materials which include retention and cusp build-ups
15.
Operate digital dental radiography equipment to capture correct dental anatomy
16.
Clean, sharpen, package, and sterilize instruments using autoclaving and cold sterilization techniques.
17.
Handle and transfer dental instruments to provide proper patient care.
18.
Setting up dental instruments and materials for amalgam and composite restorations.
19.
Use ultra sonic scaler (cavitron) or similar instrument to remove calculus.
20.
Using dental terminology to accurately record treatment and examination information in patients file.
21.
Utilize automated dental systems to chart and record oral health information.
22.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.