Indian Health Service Logo
Position Title
Dental Assistant (EF)
Agency
Indian Health Service
Announcement Number
IHS-25-GP-12668157-DE Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, May 23, 2025 to Thursday, May 29, 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? (limit characters)
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.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
(limit characters)
3. 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.
(limit characters)
4. 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:
  • 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.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
(limit characters)
5. 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.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Dental Assistant (EF) 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.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
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?
(limit characters)
2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-02, 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-02 level. Select only one response and do not leave blank.
(limit characters)
3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-03, 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-03 level. Select only one response and do not leave blank.
(limit characters)
4. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, GS-04, Dental Assistant
Select one response that best describes your experience which demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GS-04. 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.
(limit characters)
5. 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.
(limit characters)
6. 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.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
7. 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.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
8. Apply topical fluoride gel, foam, and varnish upon request of the dentist. (limit characters)
9. Collect information to assist the dentist in the triage of patients. (limit characters)
10. Conduct dental cleanings to remove supragingivial calculus. (limit characters)
11. From the choices provided, which of the following most accurately reflects your experience with documenting a patient visit. (limit characters)
12. From the choices provided, which of the following most accurately reflects your experience with taking dental radiographs. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
13. Provide preventive services including screenings, fluoride treatments, placement of sealants, placement of temporary fillings, and simple teeth cleanings. (limit characters)
14. Set up dental instruments and materials for dental exams. (limit characters)
15. Educate patients about the processes of dental caries and periodontal disease. (limit characters)
16. Instruct patients about brushing and flossing care. (limit characters)
17. Provide oral health instructions to an individual and to groups. (limit characters)
18. Relay dentist instructions to patients for post-treatment care. (limit characters)
19. Aware of organizational and programmatic goals and seeks creative avenues to enhance goal achievement, sharing this information with others to ensure departmental success. (limit characters)
20. Identify ways to incorporate new practices into existing framework to solve departmental issue. (limit characters)
21. Work independently with little direction to accomplish tasks related to long term project that are more than 6 months in duration. (limit characters)
SECTION II. CERTIFICATION OF INFORMATION ACCURACY
As previously explained, your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you or for dismissing you from employment following acceptance. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.
(limit characters)
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. (limit characters)